Allelopathic effects of Balanites aegyptica L. on germination, growth and yield of Phaseoulus vulgaris L.

We examined the allelopathic impacts of Balanites aegyptica on the germination, growth and yield of Phaseolus vulgaris in germination bioassays, greenhouse experiments and field trials. Aqueous bark extract of B. aegyptica with 0, 10, 30 and 60 % w/v concentrations were applied to P. vulgaris seeds. Germination percentage (GP) and germination index (GI) were inhibited at the highest test concentrations (30 and 60 %). Seedlings showed inhibited radicle length and plumule length than control. The same was also observed for plant height, number of leaves, number of pods per plant, the number of seeds per pod and weight of the seeds. Increased concentration of aqueous extract of B. aegyptica significantly inhibited the growth and production of P. vulgaris. Seventeen compounds were identified in the bark extract by LC-MS, including 8 phenolic compounds, a terpenoid, an amino acid, a fatty acid and a saponin. The allelopathic activity was attributed to the phenolic compounds present in B. aegyptica.