Allelopathic effects of barley extracts on germination and seedlings growth of bread and durum wheats

Phytotoxicity of barley extracts (Hordeum vulgare L.) on durum wheat (Triticum durum L.) and bread wheat (Triticum aestivum L.) was investigated. Water extracts of barley, variety Rihane were bioassayed on germination and seedling growth of both wheat species to: (i) test the heterotoxicity of barley on wheat, (ii) study the dynamics of allelopathic potential over four growth stages and (iii) identify the most allelopathic plant part of barley. Whole barley plants were extracted at growth stage 4 (stems not developed enough), whilst for the following growth stages roots, stems, and leaves were extracted separately. Seedling growth bioassays demonstrated that the two wheat species responded differently to the allelopathic potential of barley with a greater sensitivity shown by the bread wheats. For both wheat species, radicle growth was more depressed than coleoptile growth, though stimulation of seedling growth was observed for durum wheat. The allelopathic potential of barley plant parts was not stable over its life cycle for either bread or durum wheat. It appeared that potential increased near physiological maturity. Leaves and roots were the most phytotoxic barley plant parts for durum and bread wheats, respectively. Results suggested that the response by durum wheat and bread wheat varied depending on the source of allelochemicals (plant part) and the growth stage of the barley plant. Consequently, barley should be considered a depressive prior crop for both durum wheat and bread wheat in a field cropping sequence.