Allelopathic Influence of Sorghum bicolor Root Exudates on Germination and Seedling Growth of Chenopodium album

Abstract

Sorghum bicolor is widely recognized for its allelopathic potential due to the release of biologically active compounds from its roots and plant residues. The present study was conducted to evaluate the allelopathic influence of Sorghum bicolor root exudates on seed germination and seedling growth of Chenopodium album, a problematic broadleaf weed commonly found in agricultural fields. Root exudates were collected from sorghum plants grown under controlled conditions and applied at different concentrations to assess their inhibitory effects on germination and early seedling development of C. album. Laboratory bioassays were performed using sterilized petri plates under controlled temperature and moisture conditions. The results revealed that sorghum root exudates significantly reduced seed germination percentage, radicle length, plumule growth, and seedling vigor of C. album compared to untreated controls. The inhibitory effect increased with increasing concentration of root exudates, indicating a dose-dependent allelopathic response. Morphological abnormalities such as reduced root elongation, discoloration, and delayed seedling emergence were also observed in treated seedlings. The suppression of weed growth may be attributed to the presence of allelochemicals such as phenolic acids, sorgoleone, and other secondary metabolites released from sorghum roots. Statistical analysis demonstrated significant differences among treatments, confirming the phytotoxic effects of sorghum-derived compounds on weed establishment. The findings suggest that S. bicolor possesses strong allelopathic properties that could be utilized as an eco-friendly approach for weed management in sustainable agricultural systems. Understanding the interaction between sorghum allelochemicals and weed species may contribute to the development of integrated weed management strategies aimed at reducing herbicide dependence and improving crop productivity.