Allelopathic potential of Gleichenella pectinata (Willd.) Ching on weed plant species

Abstract

The goal of this paper was to determine the allelopathic potential of Gleichenella pectinata on three weed species (Echinochloa crus-galli (L.) Beauv (Poaceae), Ipomoea grandifolia (Dammer) O'Donell (Convolvulaceae) and Euphorbia heterophylla L. (Euphorbiaceae)). The experimental design was entirely randomized, with six replicates. The target plant responses were analyzed individually (percentage and average time of germination of the seeds and initial growth of seedlings) or combined, using the Global Effect Index. The extracts had a low effect on the percentage and average time of seed germination, but inhibited the seedling growth. The combined analysis revealed that almost all treatments caused inhibition. This analysis also showed the differences between the two phenological stages.