The Allelopathic Effects of Artemisia herba-alba Asso. Aqueous Extracts on Seed Germination and Seedling Development of Ceratonia siliqua L.

This study aims to investigate the allelopathic effects of Artemisia herba-alba Asso. aqueous extracts on the germination of Ceratonia siliqua L. seeds and seedlings. Three concentrations 100%, 50 %, 25%, and control (distill water) were used for testing. Seeds and seedlings of Ceratonia siliqua were exposed to above-mentioned concentrations. One-way ANOVA test was adopted to examine the effect of these treatments on germination rate and root length for the seeds of Ceratonia siliqua. Our results showed no significant differences between the concentrations on germination rate as the F-Value and P-Value were 2.88 and 0.08 respectively. However, high significance occurred after testing concentrations against root length with F-value reaching (139.89). Tukey HSD (Honestly Significant Difference) test showed that highest significance in means was imposed by both (100 % and 50 %) levels of concentration on root length. It also shows a strong inverse relation between root length and concentrations levels reflected in R-squared value of (0.93). The treatments affected Ceratonia siliqua roots by inhibiting their length significantly (F-Value: 21.1). In conclusion, the increase of concentration levels result in the inhibition of mainly root length. That may explain the law survival of Ceratonia siliqua seedlings in regions where Artemisia herba-alba grow. However, further studies are required to investigate other factors.