The Effect of Prosopis farcta Fruit Residues on Germination and Seedlings Growth of Wild barley (Hordeum vulgare)

Abstract

Syrian Mesquite Prosopis farcta (Banks & Soland.) J. F. Macbr. specie is one of the most dangerous pastoral plants in Syria. It has been able, according to its environmental and biological characteristics, to invade all agricultural and non-agricultural environments. In laboratory, the effect of the residues of Syrian mesquite matured fruits on the germination and seedling growth of wild barley was investigated at two directions: First, was the chemical study which contains a detection of some sub-chemicals in fruits and soil cotains fruit residues extracts by using depositing reagents. Second, was included the bio-testing of the effect of aqueous extracts of matured fruits at three concentrations on germination and seedling growth of wild barley during 2018, 2019 seasons. Chemical study was indicated that the extracts of Syrian mesquite fruit and the soil which had fruit residues of this weed were contained Phenolics and Tannins. Also, the results were showed that P. farcta extracts have negative significant role on studied properties. It is presented by reducing germination of barley seed, increasing the average germination time and decreasing radicle and arial parts length besides to wet and dried weight of wild barley seedling, so the value of Tolerance Index was less than 100 with the appearance of clearly phytotoxicity. As well as, decreasing Pigments Content (chlorophyll, Caroteens and Xanthopheel) in leaves of wild barley seedlings at 15 days age. This effect increases with increasing concentration. In conclusion, the inhibition effect of P. farcta fruit residues on germination and growth of wild barley is due to presence of some sub-chemicals, solubility in water, such as Phenolics and Tannins which have toxic effect that may contribute to its invasiveness and extreme competitiveness. The use of these inhibitor chemical compounds as bio-herbicides is an important factor of biological control in the integrated control system.