Allelopathy is a biological process whereby plants secrete certain chemicals through their roots, shoots or leaves, called allelochemicals. These chemicals directly cause some biological responses among nearby plants, microorganisms, or even small animals. The allelochemicals represent a large group of compounds, including leachate, root exudates, volatiles or even debris decomposed from the parts of the plant, which have appreciable allelopathic effects ranging from germination, seedling, and overall productivity drawbacks to nearby species. The present study includes the evaluation of allelopathy of the plant Alternanthera paronychioides using its aqueous extracts on the seed germination and early growth of Raphanus sativus (radish) seedlings. The dried plant parts (particularly the A. paronychioides leaves and roots) have undergone aqueous extraction and tested on the R. sativus seeds under controlled experimental conditions. Seedling development was found to be severely suppressed in terms of germination; both root and leaf extracts showed highly significant declines in their germination percentages, radicle, and plumule (shoot) growth. The effect was more pronounced with the increasing concentration on the inhibition effects; it showed that R. sativus seedlings were inhibited in the root and shoot lengths as the concentration of A. paronychioides extracts was increased, showing very aggressive phytotoxic effect. This means that with greater concentrations of allelochemicals available within these extracts, greater physiological stress would be on the seedlings affecting growth processes in the normal ways. The results indicate that A. paronychioides has strong allelopathic action on R. sativus, thus supporting the view that secondary metabolites from this species can be concerning to other species in their early developmental stages. Such interactions have implications such as competitive interactions in plants and community dynamics, while in application, they must be subjected to current theory of sustainable weed management.

Zinc sulphide (ZnS) application can influence plant growth, with effects varying by concentration and plant variety. This study evaluated the impact of ZnS on two maize (Zea mays L.) cultivars, AS-5277 and 30-K08, focusing on biomass production, photosynthetic pigments, and biochemical traits. Five ZnS concentrations (0.1–0.3 g/100 ml, denoted T1–T5) were applied, compared to a control. Growth parameters (plant height, root length, fresh and dry weight, moisture content, leaf width) and photosynthetic pigments (chlorophyll a, chlorophyll b, carotenoids) were measured, alongside flavonoid, sugar, and phenol content. Lower ZnS concentrations (T1: 0.1 g/100 ml, T2: 0.15 g/100 ml, T3: 0.2 g/100 ml) significantly enhanced plant height, root length, fresh and dry weight, and leaf width in both varieties, with AS-5277 showing greater improvements than 30-K08. Chlorophyll a, chlorophyll b, and carotenoid contents increased at lower concentrations, peaking at T3, but declined at higher concentrations (T4: 0.25 g/100 ml, T5: 0.3 g/100 ml). Similarly, flavonoid, sugar, and phenol contents increased at lower concentrations, with AS-5277 exhibiting more pronounced enhancements. Higher ZnS levels inhibited growth, reduced pigment levels, and lowered biochemical contents, indicating toxicity. These findings underscore ZnS’s dual role as a beneficial micronutrient at low doses and a toxicant at high doses, with varietal differences in response. Optimizing ZnS application rates is crucial to enhance maize growth and biochemical activity while minimizing toxicity risks.

This study aimed to evaluate the genetic diversity and identify high-yielding wheat (Triticum aestivum) genotypes through both morphological and biochemical analyses. A total of 36 wheat genotypes, including three local cultivars and thirty-three exotic genotypes, were analyzed for 16 morphological traits and protein profiles using SDS-PAGE. The genotypes exhibited considerable variability, with the cluster analysis of morphological traits revealing four major clusters, reflecting distinct genetic backgrounds. Significant correlations were observed between several morphological traits, such as stem length, spike length, and total plant height, all of which were closely associated with grain yield. Genotypes like Ma-6, Ma-16, Ma-22, and Ma-30 demonstrated superior performance, with increased spikelet numbers and 1000-seed weight, indicating their potential for high-yielding wheat breeding. The molecular analysis revealed 10 protein bands, 2 of which were monomorphic, and 8 were polymorphic, reflecting high genetic diversity. Four distinct clusters were identified based on protein profiles, confirming the genetic differentiation observed in the morphological data. Specific loci such as L-5 and L-6 exhibited significant variation, which may be linked to traits like disease resistance or drought tolerance. The results highlight the importance of using a multi-trait approach, combining both phenotypic and molecular data, for more accurate assessments of genetic diversity. This study identifies promising genotypes for future wheat breeding programs focused on improving yield, grain quality, and adaptability to diverse environmental conditions. The findings emphasize the value of integrating both morphological and molecular data in wheat breeding efforts to address challenges posed by climate change and other environmental stresses.

This study investigates the allelopathic effects of aqueous extracts from Sorghum bicolor on the germination and growth of Raphanus sativus seedlings. Leaf and stem extracts were applied at control (0%), low (3%), medium (5%), and high (6%) concentrations, and their impacts were evaluated through parameters such as germination percentage, shoot and root length, fresh and dry weight, and number of leaves. Both extracts significantly inhibited germination and growth, with higher concentrations (5% and 6%) causing pronounced reductions in germination rates (down to 50%), root and shoot length, and biomass accumulation. Stem extracts exhibited a more consistent inhibitory effect, particularly on root and shoot dry weight, while leaf extracts showed variable effects, including slight stimulation of shoot fresh weight at lower concentrations. Additionally, higher extract concentrations increased chlorophyll, carotenoid, flavonoid, phenolic, and sugar content, as well as indole acetic acid (IAA) levels, suggesting stress-induced compensatory responses in Raphanus sativus. These findings confirm the allelopathic potential of Sorghum bicolor, particularly its phenolic compounds, and highlight the need for cautious application in agricultural weed management to minimize adverse effects on crop growth and yield.