Allelochemicals of Helianthus annus L. and their effect on Germination Parameters of Phaseolus aureus

Abstract

Several phytotoxic substances causing germination and growth inhibitions have been isolated from the plant Helianthus annus L. These substances, collectively known as allelochemicals, are usually secondary plant products or waste products of main metabolic pathways of plants, which exhibit toxicity towards other plants. Many allelochemicals have been characterized from the H. annuus, which inhibit the seed germination and seedling growth of several crops including Phaseolus aureus. In the current investigation, the allelochemicals were extracted from Helianthus annus L. using different organic solvent systems and their bioefficacy was assessed against chosen germination parameters of Phaseolus aureus viz a viz seed germination, seed vigour and mean seedling length. Inhibition of germination was observed at a higher concentration, and a reduction in speed of germination, seedling growth of Phaseolus aureus in lower concentration of aglycosidic and organic components.