Assessment of allelopathic interference of Chenopodium album through its leachates, debris extracts, rhizosphere and amended soil

Abstract

A study conducted to assess the allelopathic interference of invasive weed Chenopodium album indicated that aqueous leachates of C. album plant parts (roots, whole plant, and leaves), debris extracts and rhizosphere soil deleteriously affected the germination and initial growth of two test plants - Cassia occidentalis (a weed) and Phaseolus aureus (a crop). Further, the plant growth in terms of height, biomass, chlorophyll and protein content was significantly lesser in soil amended with C. album debris. Aqueous leachates, debris extracts, rhizosphere soil and debris amended soil were found to contain significantly higher amounts of water-soluble phenolics - the known phytotoxins. These phytotoxins in root, above-ground parts and leaves were phenolic acids, namely gallic, chlorogenic, caffeic, vanillic, p-coumaric, syringic and ferulic. Among these, chlorogenic acid was present in the maximum amount in the leaves and roots. The study concludes that C. album releases phenolics into the soil and these are probably involved in the growth inhibitory effect of C. album.