Phytotoxic influences of Asphodelus tenuifolius Cav (wild onion) on germination and seedling growth of wheat

Aqueous root, stem and fruit extracts and soil infested with Asphodelus tenuifolius Cav. were tested for their allelopathic effect on germination and seedling growth of wheat (Triticum aestivum L.). Continuous application of fruit extract of A. tenuifolius decreased the time to 50% germination (T₅₀) and mean germination time (MTG) of wheat seeds, whereas the germination index (GI) was increased and germination was decreased with fruit and stem extracts, respectively. Wheat seeds soaked in stem extract for 24 h had the longest time for T₅₀ and MGT. Minimum GI and germination were also recorded with stem extract. Root and stem extracts decreased the root length but increased the shoot length than control. The fruit extracts increased both root and shoot length and root extract increased the dry weight in wheat seedling. Soil taken from the field infested with A. tenuifolius reduced the biomass of wheat seedling.