allelopathic effects of shoot and root extracts of artemisia aucheri boiss. on germination, growth and photosynthesis of rocket (eruca sativa l.) and goldbachia laevigata l.

Two independent experiments (laboratory and greenhouse) were conducted to evaluate the allelopathic potential of artemisia aucheri boiss shoot and root aqueous extract on germination, growth and leaf photosynthesis (a) of rocket plant (eruca sativa l.) and goldbachia laevigata l. germination, growth and net photosynthetic rate of both plants were suppressed by aqueous extract of artemisia. root extract had a more inhibitory effect to all traits than shoot extract. high concentration (20 gl-1) of shoot and root aqueous extract decreased seed germination of rocket by 20% and 37.1%, respectively compared to control. however, goldbachia laevigata germination was more affected at the same concentrations by 31.4% and 51.9%, respectively. seed germination rate of rocket and goldbachia decreased by 39.7% and 49.1% at high concentration of shoot extract. while, high concentration of root extract decreased seed germination index of rocket and goldbachia by 62.4% and 72.5%, respectively. the highest artemisia root extract concentration (20 gl-1) diminished the plant height, leaf area, shoot dry weight, leaf photosynthesis and stomatal conductance (gs) of rocket plants and goldbachia by 35.5% and 33.3%, 41% and 42.6%, 34.8% and 38.1%, 46.2% and 55.3%, 53.6 and 54.4%, respectively. the results of this study suggest that the root and shoot extracts of a.aucheri contains water soluble allelochemicals which significantly reduce germination and growth of e.sativa and goldbachia. therefore, artemisa aucheri can be considered as potential bio-herbicides in future screening programs.