Allelopathic effect of buckwheat (Fagopyrum Esculentum moench)

Common buckwheat belongs to good weed competitors. The influence of buckwheat rest, soil extracts, hull extract and germinating achenes of buckwheat on germination of testing plant (Lactuca sativa) in laboratory conditions. Varietal differences were evaluated as well. Extracts from buckwheat hulls and germinating achenes significantly inhibited the growth of lettuce. Emka variety inhibited the growth of lettuce more than that of the others. The rest of buckwheat inhibited the lettuce growth in all tested concentrations. No varietal differences were found in the biotests with soil extracts. The results indicate a greater importance of leachates from the aboveground biomass in the allelopathy of buckwheat.