Investigation of the Allelopathic Effects of Artemisia annua L. Extract on Seed Germination and Seedling Growth Characteristics of Flax (Linum usitatissimum L.)

Flax (Linum usitatissimum L.) is an herbaceous plant that can reach approximately ۷۰ cm in height and is characterized by green, pointed, ovate leaves. It is predominantly distributed in southern and southwestern regions of Iran. The mature seeds of flax are traditionally crushed and used to prepare poultices for the treatment of acne and skin inflammations. The present study was conducted to investigate the allelopathic effects of Artemisia annua L. extract on seed germination and early seedling growth of flax. An experiment was carried out under laboratory conditions in ۲۰۱۰ at the Laboratory of the Faculty of Agriculture, University of Zabol, using a completely randomized design (CRD) with four replications. The treatments consisted of a control and four concentrations (۲۵, ۵۰, ۷۵, and ۱۰۰%) of aqueous extracts prepared from the aerial parts of A. annua. The measured parameters included germination percentage and germination rate, radicle and shoot length, and fresh and dry weights of flax seedlings. The data were analyzed using Duncan’s multiple range test at the ۵% probability level. The results indicated that flax seed germination was significantly affected by different concentrations of the aqueous A. annua extract (P < ۰.۰۱). Increasing extract concentration progressively reduced both germination percentage and germination rate, with the highest values recorded in the control treatment and the lowest values observed at the ۱۰۰% extract concentration. Furthermore, increasing the concentration of the aqueous extract significantly inhibited radicle and shoot growth and reduced the fresh and dry weights of flax seedlings. Overall, the findings demonstrate a concentration-dependent inhibitory effect of A. annua aqueous extract on flax seed germination and early seedling growth, indicating its potential allelopathic activity

کلیدواژه ها:

Allelopathy ، aqueous extract ، Artemisia annua L ، Flax ، Seed germination ، Seedling Growth