Allelopathic Effect of Aqueous Extract of Poa Annua on Seed Germination and Seedling Growth of Selected Wheat Varieties

Weed interference with crop growth and development is major challenge in modern agriculture. Weeds’ capability to adapt, evolve, and extent rapidly allows them to outcompete crops for resources, decreasing yields and impacting productivity. Thus, we aimed to explore at examining the allelopathic potential of a weed rapid Poa annua against the selected wheat varieties Nifa Aman, Nifa Nijat and Zargoon at seedling growth and germination. In order to estimate the allelopathic potential of weeds, a laboratory experiment was conducted at Shaheed Benazir Bhutto Women University Peshawar in the year 2024. Poa annua hot water extract (10 g, 15 g and 20 g) were applied to test the seed germination and seedling growth of the tested varieties. The extracts of Poa annua caused a broad phytotoxic effect on the seedling growth and seed germination of all the tested varieties at all concentrations. Extracts of Poa annua showed significant reduction in seedling growth and germination of tested Triticum aestivum varieties. The seed germination, root length and shoot length were significantly affected at higher concentration of the extract. Maximum inhibition of seed germination was observed in variety Zargoon (60%) at 20 g as comparison to control condition. Radical, plumule growths, fresh weight, dry weights were lowest at high extract concentration (20 g). These findings confirm that aqueous extract from Poa annua display allelopathic effects, leading a risk to crop plant development by suppressing seedling establishment and seed germination.