Allelopathic potential of Sinapis alba L. residues in weeds management system

Abstract

Tillage practices, manual weeding and chemical herbicides are mainly adopted for weeds control but energy crisis, intensive labor prices and environmental pollution are major constraints in adaptation of these techniques. Therefore, sustainable weeds management is need of the hour which refers to the naturally released phytotoxins known as allelochemicals. Sinapis alba is an important member of Brassicaceae family which is well known for its allelopathic potential in crop production system. In this scenario, a field experiment was conducted at University Research Farm of Pir Mehr Ali Shah Arid Agriculture University (PMAS-AAU), Koont, Chakwal Road, Rawalpindi to evaluate the allelopathic potential of Sinapis alba residues on weeds suppression. The experiment was laid out with 3 replications and 7 treatments viz T0=controlled, T1=Foliar Spray @50% concentration, T2=Foliar Spray@75% concentration, T3=Foliar Spray@ 100% concentration, T4=Residual Incorporation@8Kg/plot, T5=Residual Incorporation@6Kg/plot, T6=Residual Incorporation@4Kg/plot. All the treatments significantly suppressed the weeds population but the inhibitory effect of aqueous extract @100% concentration was highest. This inhibitory effect could be associated with release of glucosinolates and phenolics which possess great influence on different weeds and act as a natural herbicide.