AUTHOR=Alanaz Amjad R. , Alatawi Eman A. S. , Alotaibi Rahaf S. , Alatawi Eman A. H. , Albalawi Attaf D. , Alhumayri Hadeel A. , Alatawi Qasem S. , Alharbi Basmah M. 

TITLE=The Bio-herbicidal potential of some wild plants with allelopathic effects from Tabuk Region on selected local weed species

JOURNAL=Frontiers in Plant Science

VOLUME=14

YEAR=2023

URL=https://www.frontiersin.org/journals/plant-science/articles/10.3389/fpls.2023.1286105

DOI=10.3389/fpls.2023.1286105

ISSN=1664-462X

ABSTRACT=<p>Weeds are considered one of the most serious problems limiting global agricultural production. As a result, chemical herbicides have been extensively used for weed control. However, overuse of synthetic herbicides, has resulted in public concerns over the effect of herbicides on the health of the ecosystems and humans. In the food system, innovative approaches are needed to foster sustainable practices that preserve biodiversity, conserve habitats, and mitigate climate change factors. Thus, alternatives are required to control the weeds. This study aimed to determine the impact of some wild plants’ (<italic>Citrullus colocynthis</italic>, <italic>Euphorbia retusa, Retama raetam, Artemisia monosperma, Tamarix gallica</italic>, and <italic>Artemisia judaica</italic>) allelopathic potentials (at rates of 0, 15, 25, 35, and 50 g/L) on seed germination of selected local weeds (<italic>Portulaca oleracea</italic>, <italic>Amaranthus retroflexus</italic>, and <italic>Chloris barbata</italic>) collected from different locations in Tabuk region, Saudi Arabia. GC-MS analysis was used to evaluated the main compounds in the wild plants under study. The experimental design was completely randomized block design (CRBD) with three replicates. According to the results, phytochemical screening of the wild plants using GC-MS analysis showed a wide range of phytochemicals. <italic>Amaranthus retroflexus</italic> exhibited the highest germination rate in the control group. In addition, applying 5 g/L and 20 g/L of <italic>Citrullus colocynthis</italic> extracts had no discernible effect on the rate of germination of <italic>A. retroflexus</italic> seed; however, they were able to reduce the germination rate as compared to the control. As the extract concentration of <italic>Artemisia monosperma</italic> rose to 20 g/L, the germination rate of <italic>A. retroflexus</italic> dropped. Neither 35 g L-1 nor 50 g L-1 of <italic>A. monosperma</italic> extract inhibited the germinate of <italic>A. retroflexus</italic>. The germination rate of <italic>Portulaca oleracea</italic> decreased with increasing extract concentration of <italic>C. colocynthis</italic>. The extract of <italic>C. colocynthis</italic> at 50 g/L had the lowest rate. The germination rate of <italic>Chloris barbata</italic> decreased with increasing extract concentration of <italic>C. colocynthis</italic>. The highest germination rate of <italic>C. barbata</italic> was observed in control, followed by 5g/L, while no germination was observed at 20, 35, and 50 g/L of <italic>C. colocynthis</italic> extracts. <italic>A. retroflexus’s</italic> root length shrank when the extract concentration of <italic>C. colocynthis</italic> rose. <italic>A. retroflexus’s</italic> control sample had the most extended root length, followed by 5 and 20 g/L, respectively. <italic>C. colocynthis</italic> at 35 and 50 g/L showed no root elongation as this treatment inhibited radicle protrusion. High concentration of d-Glycero-d-galacto-heptose and pentane in <italic>C. colocynthis</italic> aqueous extract may be the cause of <italic>C. colocynthis’</italic> ability to inhibit <italic>Chloris barbata</italic> germination. The entire <italic>C. barbata</italic> plant length decreased when treated with 5 g/L of <italic>C. colocynthis</italic> extract. No growth was seen at any of the higher <italic>C. colocynthis</italic> concentrations (20, 35, and 50 g/L). The present work revealed that cultivating allelopathic crops like the selected studied wild plants from the Tabuk region has a promising future as an antagonistic species in a biological weed control program or combined with integrated weed management in agricultural food production.</p>