Journal of Experimental Biology and Agricultural Sciences, August - 2014; Volume – 2(4)

Journal of Experimental Biology and Agricultural Sciences

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ISSN No. 2320 – 8694

ALLELOPATHIC POTENTIAL OF Portulaca oleracea L. SEED EXTRACTS ON

GERMINATION AND SEEDLING GROWTH OF Cichorium endivia L., Lactua sativa
L., Echinochloa crus-galli L., AND Brassica tournefortii Gouan

Hanaa Fahmy Shehata

Botany Department-Faculty of Science-Zagazig University

Received – July 07, 2014; Revision – July 31, 2014, Accepted – August 13, 2014
Available Online – August 21, 2014

KEYWORDS ABSTRACT

Allelopathy
Present study was formulated to find out the phytotoxic effects of different concentrations of water,
ethyl acetate, petroleum ether and methanol extracts of Portulaca oleracea seeds on germination,
Germination
germination index and seedlings growth of Cichorium endivia, Lactuca sativa Echinochoa crus-galli,
and Brassica tournefortii. Also the total phenolics and flavonoids were determined. Results indicated
Seedling growth
that the responses of allelopathic effects were depends on extract type and concentration. Furthermore,
Portulaca oleracea the higher concentration had a stronger inhibitory effect on seed germination whereas in some cases the
lower concentration showed a stimulatory effect. Hence, it is suggested that Portulaca oleracea seeds
Cichorium endivia has strong allelopathic potential and might be use for biological control of weeds.

Lactuca sativa

Echinochloa crus-galli

Brassica tournefortii.

* Corresponding author
E-mail: drhanaa_fahmy@hotmail.com (Hanaa Fahmy Shehata)

Peer review under responsibility of Journal of Experimental Biology and

Agricultural Sciences.

Production and Hosting by Horizon Publisher (www.my-vision.webs.com/horizon.html).

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1 Introduction
Allelopathy is defined as any, direct or indirect, positive or
negative effect, of one species on the growth of another
through the release of chemical compounds into the
environment (Patterson, 1983). It is a noval approach for
environment safety and development of sustainable agriculture
(Yongqing, 2005). In fact, a number of plants have inhibitory
effects on the growth of neighboring plants by releasing
allelochemicals into the soil, either as exudates from living
tissues or by decomposition of plant residues (Patterson, 1983).
Active allelopathic compounds are found in different plant
parts viz. leaves, roots, stem, pollens, flowers, seeds and fruits
(Waterhouse, 1994). These allelopathic compounds could be
used as tools for herbicide production. Allelopathic
interactions can play a key role with regard to the success of
invasive plants since they may alter physiological processes
and thus influence the structure of communities (Inderjit Duke,
2003). The chemical exudates from allelopathic plants are
proposed to play a major role in the allelopathy mode of
action. Evidence showed that higher plants release a diversity
of allelochemicals into the environment, which includes
phenolic, alkaloids, long-chain fatty acids, terpenoids and
flavonoids (Chou, 1995).
Portulaca oleracea L. (purslane) [F: Portulacaceae] is a
common troublesome weed worldwide. Despite being
considering a poor competitor, it can quickly establish and
easily regenerates by vegetative reproduction method
(Mohamed & Hussein, 1994). Relatively little is known about
its allelopathic properties and allelochemicals present in the
plants. Chou (1995) stated that, in most the cases,
allelochemicals inhibit the germination or growth of
neighboring plants, although sometimes they may show a
stimulatory effect. The tolerance against various metabolites is
a characteristic of a specific species, where some are more
sensitive like Lactuca sativa L. (lettuce). This plant is
considered indicators of allelopathic activity due to their
characteristics such as uniform and quick germination, and
sensitivity to submit significant results by applying small
concentrations of allelopathic substances (Ferreira & Áquila,
2000).
Mature foliage extract of P. oleracea showed an inhibitory
effect on germination and radicle growth of glycine max and
Zea mays (Kaletha et al., 1996). Water extracts of dried leaves
and roots of P.oleracea inhibited germination, shoot and root
growth of Allium cepa, Brassica oleracea, Raphanus sativus,
Cyperus rotundus, Cynodon dactylon and Echinochloa crus-
galli (Haar & Fennimore, 2003). The allelopathic effect of
P.oleracea seeds extracts has not been investigated in any
other research.
Cichorium endivia, L.sativa, E. crus-galli and B. tournefortii
are widely distributed, and constitutes a serious weed problems
in various countries of words. These are showing quick growth
and have very good competition with the crop plants for space,
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Shehata
food and reproduction. These species can effectively capturing
available soil moisture, building a canopy, reproducing, and
maturing before the neighboring native species begin their
reproductive phases. (Holm, 1979; Patterson, 1983; Ahn &
Chung, 2000; Minnich & Sanders, 2000).
It has been observed that many plant species can provide
excellent weed suppression after the incorporation of their
residues into the soil (Caamal-Maldonado et al., 2001). This
study was carried out to investigate the effects of P.oleracea
seed extracts on the germination, the speed of accumulated
germination index and seedling growth of Cichorium endivia,
L.sativa, E. crus-galli and B. tournefortii.
2 Materials and Methods
2.1 Preparation of plant material
Ripening seeds of C. endivia, E. crus-galli, B. tournefortii and
L. sativa were collected from El-Salhyia El-Gdida region of
El-Sharkyia Province, Egypt during 2011 and identified
according to the method described by Holm et al. (1979) and
Hussein, 1985), while the germinated plants were identified
according to Tackholm (1974), Boulos (1999), Boulos (2000),
Boulos (2002) and Boulos (2005). The collected seeds of
selected tree were surface sterilized by 0.3% calcium
hypochlorite, it is followed by rinsed with distilled water and
dried on the filter paper in the laboratory at room temperature
(Waterhouse, 1994).
2.2 Preparation of P oleracea seed extracts
The plant seeds were collected from the field at maturity stage,
washed with distilled water and left to dry at room temperature
in shaded place for several days till complete dryness. The
dried samples were ground and pass through a 1 mm screen
and then stored in a refrigerator till the completion of study.
For bioassay tests, water extract obtained by preparing stock
extracts (10% w/v) which were diluted with distilled water to
obtain concentrations of 100, 75, 50, 25 and 10% (v/v) test
extracts. Prepared extract were filtered thought a double layers
of muslin cloth followed by a Whatman No. 1 filter paper, the
pH values were adjusted to 7 with 1M HCl, these were kept in
refrigerator at 4C until further use (Blanco 2007). Same
method has been used for the preparation of ethyl acetate,
petroleum ether and methanol extracts. In these extracts,
collected filtrate was evaporated to dryness under vacuum at
40C using a rotary evaporator and the concentrations of 100,
75, 50, 25 and 10% (v/v) test extracts was adjusted for the
study.
2.3 Germination bioassays
Two layers Whatman filter paper No. 1 was placed in 90 mm
diameter glass Petri dishes. In each Petri dish, 20 seeds were
placed and 10 ml of each plant extract added in a concentration
 Allelopathic Potential of Portulaca oleracea L. Seed Extracts on Germination and Seedling Growth of Cichorium endivia L., …
of 100, 75, 50, 25 and 10% (v/v). A check treatment was
assigned with distilled water and left at room temperature.
Starting from the first day of experiment set on, germinated
seeds were counted and removed daily. A seed with 0.2 cm of
radical was considered germinated. Experiment designed was
RCB with three replicate and the experiment repeated twice.
Rate of germination was calculated by dividing the number of
germinated seed each day by the number of days and summing
the values. The percentage of germination was calculated.
Speed of accumulated germination index S was calculated as
described by Haugland and Brandsaeter (1996) equation
which is as following:
S = [N1/1+N2/2+N3/3+…Nn/n]
Where, N1, N2, N3,…,Nn; cumulative number of
seeds which germinate on day 1,2,3,…,n following setup
experiment.
The data were subjected to ANOVA, mean values
were separated on the basis of Least Significant Difference
(LSD) at 0.05 probability level.
2.4 Growth bioassays
The seeds of Lactuca sativa, Echinochloa crus – galli and
Cichorium endivia were germinated on filter paper in the dark
at room temperature for 2 days. Fifteen germinated seeds were
transferred to Petri dishes which were filled with 25 g quartz
sand and 10 ml of seed powder extract added at concentrations
of 100, 75, 50, 25 and 10% (v/v). In addition a check was
included without any powder added. The experiment design
was RCB with three replicate and the experiment was repeated
twice. The shoot and root lengths of seedlings were measured
on 7 or 14 days after treatment (DAT).
The data were subjected to ANOVA, mean values were
separated on the basis of Least Significant Difference (LSD) at
0.05 probability level.
2.5 Determination of Total Phenolics
10 gm of seeds was ground in mortar in 10 ml of 80% ethanol.
The homogenate was centrifuge at 10,000 rpm for 20 minutes.
The supernatant was saved and the residue was re-extracted
with 5 ml of 80% ethanol, centrifuge and the supernatants were
collected. The supernatant was evaporated to dryness. The
residue was dissolved in 5 ml distilled water. 0.5 ml aliquots
from each sample were pipette into test tubes. The volume in
each tube was made to 3 ml with distilled water. 0.5 ml of
Folin-Ciocalteau reagent was added to each tube. After 3
minutes, 2 ml of 20% NaCO 3 solution was added to each tubes.
The tubes were incubated in a boiling water bath for exactly 1
minute, cooled and optical density of colour developed was
measured at 650 nm using spectrophotometer. The standard
curve was prepared using different concentrations of catechol
(100 mg/100 ml distilled water). From the standard curve the
concentration of phenols in the tested sample was calculated
and expressed as mg phenol equivalent/100 d dry weight
(Sadasivam & Manickam, 2008).
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2.6 Determination of Flavonoids
Ten grams seeds sample was used for determination of
falvonoids, the selected seed were extracted repeatedly with
100 ml of 80% aqueous methanol at room temperature.
Prepared solution was filtered through Whatman filter paper
No 42 (125 mm). The filtrate was then transferred into a
crucible and evaporated into dryness over a water bath and
weighed to a constant weight (Bohm & Koupai-Abyazani,
1994). This dry mass was used for complete study.
Results
3.1 Effect of different extracts on Cichorium endivia :
The allelopathic potential of P. oleraecea seed extracts on the
seed germination of C. endivia at three day after treatment
(DAT) is shown in (Table 1). Water extract at low
concentration (10 & 25%) have stimulatory effect on the seed
germination of C. endivia at probability level 0.05, while at
high concentration (50, 75 &100%), it showed significance
inhibition. Ethyl acetate and methanol extracts showed
significant inhibition at high concentration, the inhibition
increase by increasing the concentration. The petroleum ether
extract showed significant inhibition at high concentration (75
& 100%), while at low concentration (10, 25 & 50%) not
showed any significant inhibition. Water and ethyl acetate
extracts are the most potent extracts against the germination of
C. endivia.
The effect of P. oleraecea seed extracts on the speed of
accumulated germination index of C. endivia is shown in
(Table 1). At low concentration (10, 25 & 50%) of water
extract, the speed of accumulated germination index not
showed significant stimulation; while at high concentration (75
& 100%), it showed significant inhibition at 0.05 probability
level. Ethyl acetate, petroleum ether and methanol extracts
showed moderate significant inhibition on the speed of
accumulated germination index of C.endivia at both high and
low concentration.
The allelopathic potential of P. oleraecea seed extracts on the
seedling root growth of C. endivia at seven DAT is shown in
(Table 2). At low concentration (10%), water extract showed
significant stimulatory effect on the root growth; while at high
concentration (25, 50, 75 & 100%), extract shows significant
inhibition in the germination of seed.
The ethyl acetate extract not showed any significant effect at
low concentration (10%); while at high concentration (25, 50,
75 & 100%); it showed moderately significance inhibition on
seedling root growth. Petroleum ether and methanol extracts
showed low significant inhibition at low concentration (10
&25%), while at high concentration (50, 50 &100%), it
attained high significant inhibition. Water extract is the most
effective extract against the seedling root growth of C. endivia.
391 Shehata

Table 1 Effect of allelopathic potential of P. oleracea seed extracts on the germination and germination index of C. endivia after 3 DAT.

Concentra Water Ethyl acetate Petroleum ether Methanol

tion Germinatio Germinatio Germinatio Germinatio Germinatio Germinatio Germinatio Germinatio
(% v/v) n n index n n index n n index n n index
Control 56.7b ± 6.7 11.1a ± 0.3 83.3b ± 3.3 13.4a ± 1.0 86.7a ± 3.3 16.6a ± 0.3 93.3a ± 3.3 16.8a ± 0.6
10 86.7a ± 3.3 14.1a ± 0.8 73.3ab ± 3.3 12.5a ± 0.7 80.0a ± 5.8 12.3ab ± 1.1 83.3ab ± 3.3 14.9ab ± 0.5
25 83.3a ± 3.3 12.3a ± 1.1 70.0ab ± 5.8 11.3ab ± 0.7 73.3a ± 6.7 11.3ab ± 1.0 70.0bc ± 5.8 14.6ab ± 0.4
b a bc abc a ab bc
50 63.3 ± 3.3 9.3 ± 0.8 60.0 ± 5.8 9.5 ± 0.5 70.0 ± 5.8 10.5 ± 0.8 70.0 ± 5.8 13.5ab ± 0.4
75 26.7c ± 3.3 3.5b ± 0.4 46.7c ± 6.7 6.9 ± bc0.4 50.0b ± 0.0 8.8b ± 0.8 63.3bc ± 6.7 11.4ab ± 0.5
d c d c b b c
100 0.0 ± 0.0 0.0 ± 0.0 30.0 ± 0.0 5.9 ± 0.3 50.0 ± 5.8 7.1 ± 1.0 53.3 ± 3.3 10.8b ± 0.4
LSD 0.05 11.86 1.94 14.53 1.90 15.69 1.41 15.12 2.62

Table 2 Effect of allelopathic potential of P. oleracea seed extracts on the seedling root and shoot growth parameters of C. endivia after
7 DAT.
Concentra Water Ethyl acetate Petroleum ether Methanol
tion Root Shoot Root Shoot Root Shoot Root Shoot
(% v/v) growth growth growth growth growth growth growth growth
Control 18.7b ± 0.9 30.0b ± 1.2 26.0a ± 1.2 31.3a ± 0.7 25.3a ± 0.7 28.0a ± 0.6 25.3a ± 1.2 31.3a ± 0.7
a a a a b a ab
10 22.3 ± 1.5 37.0 ± 1.5 22.3 ± 1.5 30.0 ± 1.2 23.0 ± 1.0 26.3 ± 0.9 23.0 ± 2.1 31.7a ± 1.7
25 14.7c ± 1.7 36.7a ± 1.2 14.7b ± 0.3 25.7b ± 0.7 17.3c ± 0.3 21.7b ± 1.7 21.7ab ± 1.7 30.0a ± 1.2
c a b b c bc b
50 13.7 ± 1.2 35.3 ± 0.3 14.7 ± 0.9 23.7 ± 0.9 16.7 ± 0.7 19.0 ± 1.0 20.0 ± 2.9 21.3b ± 0.7
75 3.3d ± 0.3 6.0c ± 0.6 13.3b ± 2.4 15.0c ± 0.6 15.7c ± 0.3 17.3c ± 0.9 12.3c ± 0.3 14.3c ± 0.3
d d c c d c c
100 0.0 ± 0.0 0.0 ± 0.0 9.0 ± 0.6 12.7 ± 0.3 11.7 ± 0.3 16.7 ± 0.9 11.7 ± 0.3 12.7c ± 0.3
LSD 0.05 3.39 2.96 4.07 2.33 1.88 3.19 5.20 2.87

Table 3 Effect of allelopathic potential of P. oleracea seed extracts on the germination and germination index of L. sativa after 3 DAT.

Concentra Water Ethyl acetate Petroleum ether Methanol

tion Germination Germination Germination Germination Germination Germination Germination Germination
(% v/v) index index index index
Control 96.7a ± 3.3 15.8a ± 1.0 90.0a ± 0.0 13.6a ± 0.9 80.0a ± 0.0 13.4a ± 0.9 90.0a ± 0.0 15.5a ± 0.9
10 86.7b ± 3.3 14.6a ± 0.8 80.0b ± 0.0 12.7a ± 0.8 86.7a ± 3.3 14.7a ± 0.8 73.3b ± 3.3 10.1ab ± 1.2
b a c b a a b
25 80.0 ± 5.8 13.4 ± 0.9 0.0 ± 0.0 0.0 ± 0.0 90.0 ± 0.0 14.8 ± 0.9 70.0 ± 5.8 7.7 ± ab1.4
50 0.0c ± 0.0 0.0b ± 0.0 0.0c ± 0.0 0.0b ± 0.0 86.7a ± 3.3 15.1a ± 0.8 66.7b ± 3.3 4.3 ± abc1.9
c b c b a a c
75 0.0 ± 0.0 0.0 ± 0.0 0.0 ± 0.0 0.0 ± 0.0 80.0 ± 0.0 12.2 ± 0.9 30.0 ± 5.8 1.8bc ± 0.9
100 0.0c ± 0.0 0.0b ± 0.0 0.0c ± 0.0 0.0b ± 0.0 46.7b ± 3.3 3.4b ± 1.2 3.3d ± 3.3 0.2c ± 0.1
LSD 0.05 9.38 1.85 7.35 1.46 7.26 2.75 12.58 3.51

The allelopathic potential of P. oleraecea seed extracts on the
seedling shoot growth of C. endivia at seven DAT is shown in
(Table 2). Water extract have significantory effect on the
stimulation of shoot growth, similar trends was reported at low
concentration of various extracts (10, 25, & 50%), while at
high concentration (75 & 100%), it showed significant
inhibition.
The ethyl acetate extract, petroleum ether and methanol
extracts showed low significant inhibition at low concentration
(10, 25 & 50%); while at high concentration (75 & 100%), it
showed moderate significant inhibition. The water extract give
complete inhibition at concentration 100%.
3.2 Effect of various extracts on L. sativa
The allelopathic potential of P. oleraecea seed extracts on the
seed germination of L. sativa at three DAT is shown in (Table
3). Highest seed germination was reported in control. At lower
concentration (10 & 25%) all the extract shows least effect on
the seed germination and highest germination was reported on
these concentrations.

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Allelopathic Potential of Portulaca oleracea L. Seed Extracts on Germination and Seedling Growth of Cichorium endivia L., … 392

Table 4 Effect of allelopathic potential of P. oleracea seed extracts on the seedling root and shoot growth parameters of L. sativa after 7
DAT.

Concentrat Water Ethyl acetate Petroleum ether Methanol

ion Root Shoot Root Shoot Root Shoot Root Shoot
(% v/v) growth growth growth growth growth growth growth growth
Control 21.0a ± 0.6 32.0a ± 1.2 21.7a ± 0.9 21.3a ± 0.7 15.0a ± 0.6 17.0a ± 0.6 21.0a ± 1.0 26.0a ± 0.6
10 13.3b ± 0.9 27.3b ± 0.3 6.7b ± 0.3 15.7b ± 0.3 7.0b ± 0.6 14.3c ± 0.9 11.3b ± 0.7 21.0b ± 0.6
25 3.7c ± 0.7 11.7c ± 0.3 3.7c ± 0.3 2.3c ± 0.3 3.7c ± 0.7 4.7c ± 0.3 8.3c ± 0.7 16.3c ± 2.0
d d d d cd c d
50 0.0 ± 0.0 0.0 ± 0.0 0.0 ± 0.0 0.0 ± 0.0 3.0 ± 0.0 3.3 ± 0.3 4.3 ± 0.3 10.7d ± 0.3
75 0.0d ± 0.0 0.0d ± 0.0 0.0d ± 0.0 0.0d ± 0.0 2.0d ± 0.0 1.0d ± 0.0 3.0d ± 0.0 5.3e ± 0.3
d d d d e d e
100 0.0 ± 0.0 0.0 ± 0.0 0.0 ± 0.0 0.0 ± 0.0 0.0 ± 0.0 0.0 ± 0.0 0.0 ± 0.0 0.0f ± 0.0
LSD 0.05 1.57 1.57 1.26 1.03 1.33 1.45 1.78 2.81

Table 5 Effect of allelopathic potential of P. oleracea seed extracts on the germination and germination index of E. crus-galli after 3
DAT.
Concentrat Water Ethyl acetate Petroleum ether Methanol
ion Germinatio Germinatio Germinatio Germinatio Germinatio Germinatio Germinatio Germinatio
(% v/v) n n index n n index n n index n n index
Control 43.3a ± 3.3 2.6ab ± 1.0 50.0a ± 5.8 9.6a ± 1.0 43.3a ± 3.3 8.2a ± 1.0 23.3a ± 3.3 4.0ab ± 1.0
10 50.0a ± 5.8 9.6a ± 1.0 13.3b ± 3.3 3.3b ± 0.7 30.0ab ± 5.8 5.8a ± 1.1 40.0b ± 0.0 7.3a ± 0.9
b bc b b bc a bc
25 20.0 ± 0.0 3.5 ± 0.8 10.0 ± 0.0 2.6 ± 0.7 33.3 ± 3.3 5.6 ± 0.9 20.0 ± 0.0 3.5ab ± 0.8
50 16.7bc± 3.3 3.0bc ± 0.9 6.7bc ± 3.3 1.1b ± 0.3 26.7bc ± 3.3 4.7a ± 1.0 16.7c ± 3.3 2.6ab ± 0.7
c c c b bc a d
75 10.0 ± 0.0 2.1 ± 0.7 0.0 ± 0.0 0.4 ± 0.2 23.3 ± 3.3 3.4 ± 0.7 10.0 ± 0.0 1.3b ± 0.3
100 0.0d ± 0.0 0.2c ± 0.1 0.0c ± 0.0 0.2b ± 0.1 20.0c ± 0.0 3.3a ± 1.0 0.0e ± 0.0 0.4b ± 0.2
LSD 0.05 9.38 2.35 9.38 1.71 11.09 2.82 5.93 2.10

Table 6 Effect of allelopathic potential of P. oleracea seed extracts on the seedling root and shoot growth parameters of E. crus-galli
after 14 DAT.
Concentrat Water Ethyl acetate Petroleum ether Methanol
ion Root Shoot Root Shoot Root Shoot Root Shoot
(% v/v) growth growth growth growth growth growth growth growth
Control 10.3b ± 0.3 13.7a ± 0.9 14.7a ± 0.3 16.7a ± 0.3 11.7c ± 0.3 12.7b ± 0.3 23.0a ± 1.5 12.3a ± 0.
10 12.0a ± 0.6 14.7a ± 0.3 8.7b ± 0.3 9.0b ± 0.6 18.7a ± 0.3 17.7a ± 0.3 15.7b ± 0.3 10.7a ± 0.3
b b c c b c c
25 9.7 ± 0.3 9.0 ± 0.6 0.0 ± 0.0 2.0 ± 0.0 12.7 ± 0.3 11.3 ± 0.3 11.7 ± 0.3 12.3a ± 0.3
50 0.0c ± 0.0 2.0c ± 0.0 0.0c ± 0.0 0.0d ± 0.0 13.0b ± 0.0 11.0c ± 0.0 10.7c ± 0.7 11.7b ± 0.3
c d c d d d d
75 0.0 ± 0.0 0.0 ± 0.0 0.0 ± 0.0 0.0 ± 0.0 9.0 ± 0.0 8.7 ± 0.3 8.3 ± 0.3 7.3c ± 0.3
100 0.0c ± 0.0 0.0d ± 0.0 0.0c ± 0.0 0.0d ± 0.0 8.7d ± 0.3 7.7e ± 0.3 5.3e ± 0.3 7.0c ± 0.0
LSD 0.05 0.94 1.39 0.59 0.84 0.84 0.94 2.26 0.94

Water and ethyl acetate extracts showed complete inhibition on
seed germination at concentration (50, 75 &100%) at 0.05
probability level. The petroleum ether extract showed
stimulatory effect at low concentration (10%); while at high
concentration, not showed any significance except for
concentration 100%. The effect of P. oleraecea seed extracts
on the speed of accumulated germination index of L. sativa is
shown in (Table 3). Like other treatments highest germinating
index was reported in control. In various treatments, low
concentration (10 & 25%) of water and ethyl acetate extract,
the speed of accumulated germination index have not shown
any significant inhibition; while both the extracts showed
complete inhibition at concentration 50, 75 & 100% for water
extract and for ethyl acetate at concentration 25, 50, 75 &
100%. Petroleum ether extract not showed any significant
inhibition, while methanol extract showed significant
inhibition at all concentration.

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Table 7 Effect of allelopathic potential of P. oleracea seed extracts on the germination and germination index of B. tournefortii after 5
DAT.

Concentrat Water Ethyl acetate Petroleum ether Methanol

ion Germinatio Germinatio Germinatio Germinatio Germinatio Germinatio Germinatio Germinatio
(% v/v) n n index n n index n n index n n index
Control 70.0a ± 5.8 14.3a ± 0.7 83.3c ± 3.3 13.6a ± 0.9 76.7a ± 3.3 13.1a ± 0.8 83.3a ± 3.3 15.3a ± 0.8
10 70.0a ± 5.8 13.5a ± 0.6 40.0a ± 0.0 10.8b ± 0.9 66.7a ± 3.3 13.3a ± 0.7 63.3a ± 3.3 9.4ab ± 0.9
25 63.3b ± 3.3 12.1a ± 0.7 26.7b ± 3.3 1.8c ± 0.9 60.0a ± 5.8 13.0a ± 0.7 50.0a ± 5.8 6.4b ± 0.9
c b c c b a a
50 30.0 ± 0.0 1.8 ± 0.9 26.7 ± 3.3 1.6 ± 0.8 36.7 ± 3.3 12.1 ± 0.1 40.0 ± 5.8 2.7b ± 1.1
75 6.7d ± 3.3 0.4b ± 0.2 23.3c ± 3.3 1.4c ± 0.7 40.0c ± 3.3 9.7a ± 0.8 40.0b ± 0.0 2.3b ± 1.1
d b d c d b b
100 3.3 ± 3.3 0.2 ± 0.1 0.0 ± 0.0 0.0 ± 0.0 30.0 ± 0.0 2.4 ± 0.7 33.3 ± 3.3 1.9b ± 1.0
LSD 0.05 3.05 1.79 3.70 2.31 3.70 2.48 4.55 2.86

Table 8 Effect of allelopathic potential of P. oleracea seed extracts on the seedling rootand shoot growth parameters of B. tournefortii
after 7 DAT.

Concentrat Water Ethyl acetate Petroleum ether Methanol

ion Root Shoot Root Shoot Root Shoot Root Shoot
(% v/v) growth growth growth growth growth growth growth growth
Control 48.3a ± 0.9 33.7a ± 0.9 41.0c ± 0.6 23.7b ± 0.9 49.3a ± 1.2 27.3a ± 1.3 38.3a ± 1.7 22.3b ± 1.5
10 47.3a ± 1.5 40.0a ± 2.9 72.3a ± 1.5 34.0a ± 2.1 52.3a ± 0.3 30.0a ± 0.6 39.0a ± 0.6 36.3a ± 1.8
b a b b a a a
25 37.3 ± 1.5 35.0 ± 2.9 60.0 ± 1.7 23.3 ± 1.7 50.0 ± 1.7 29.3 ± 0.7 37.0 ± 1.5 23.7b ± 0.9
50 30.7c ± 0.7 26.3b ± 0.9 39.0c ± 1.0 22.3b ± 1.5 38.3b ± 1.2 27.0a ± 1.5 33.3a ± 0.9 21.7b ± 0.3
d c c b c b b
75 5.0 ± 0.6 8.3 ± 0.3 38.7 ± 1.2 21.7 ± 1.7 23.0 ± 1.5 19.0 ± 0.6 25.7 ± 2.3 17.3c ± 1.2
100 2.7d ± 0.3 2.0d ± 0.0 16.3d ± 0.9 3.0c ± 0.6 11.0d ± 0.6 16.7b ± 0.9 24.3b ± 1.2 13.0d ± 0.6
LSD 0.05 3.05 5.39 3.70 4.55 3.70 3.08 4.55 3.53

Table 9 The total phenolic and flavonoid compounds of P. oleraecea seed.

Constituents Concentration (mg/g dry weight)

Total phenolics 4.4 ± 0.023

Total flavonoids 2.5 ± 0.015

The allelopathic potential of P. oleraecea seed extracts on the
seedling root growth of L. sativa at seven DAT is shown in
(Table 4). All extracts showed significant inhibition at 0.05
probability level. However, water and ethyl acetate showed
complete inhibition at concentration 50, 75 & 100%.
Petroleum ether and methanol extracts attained complete
inhibition at concentration 100%. Water and ethyl acetate seed
extracts are the most effective extract against the seedling root
growth of L. sativa.
The allelopathic potential of P. oleraecea seed extracts on the
seedling shoot growth of L. sativa at seven DAT is shown in
(Table 4). All extracts showed significant inhibition at all
concentration. At concentration 100%, all extracts showed
complete inhibition. The ethyl acetate extract is the most
effective one against the seedling shoot growth of L. sativa.
3.3 Effect of different extracts on Echinochloa crus-galli
The allelopathic effect of P. oleraecea seed extracts on the
seed germination of E. crus-galli at three DAT is shown in
(Table 5). Like other treatments here also water seed extract
showed stimulatory effect at low concentration (10%), while at
high concentration (25, 50, 75 &100%) it has significant effect
on the inhibition of germination. The ethyl acetate and
petroleum ether extracts showed significant inhibition at both
high and low concentration but the effect of ethyl acetate
extract was sharp. The effect of P. oleraecea seed extracts
on the speed of accumulated germination index of E. crus-galli
is shown in (Table 5). At low concentration (10%) of water
extract and ethyl acetate seed extract, the speed of accumulated
germination index showed significant stimulation; while it
showed significant inhibition at concentration 25, 50, 75 &
100% at 0.05 probability level. Petroleum ether and ethyl

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Allelopathic Potential of Portulaca oleracea L. Seed Extracts on Germination and Seedling Growth of Cichorium endivia L., …
acetate extracts not showed any significant inhibition at all
concentration.
The allelopathic potential of P. oleraecea seed extracts on the
seedling root growth of E. crus-galli at fourteen DAT is shown
in (Table 6). Water extract showed stimulatory effect at low
concentration (10%); while at high concentration (50, 75 &
100%), it showed complete inhibition. Ethyl acetate showed
complete inhibition at concentration 25, 50, 75 & 100%.
Petroleum ether extract attained significant inhibition at all
concentration. Methanol extract showed stimulatory effect at
low concentration (10%); while at high concentration (25, 50,
75 & 100%) it showed significant inhibition. Water and ethyl
acetate are the most effective extracts against the seedling root
growth of E. crus-galli.
The allelopathic potential of P. oleraecea seed extracts on the
seedling shoot growth of E. crus-galli at fourteen DAT is
shown in (Table 6). Water extract showed significant inhibition
at concentration (25, 50%), while at concentration 75 & 100%,
it showed complete inhibition at 0.05 probability level. Ethyl
acetate showed vigorous inhibition at high concentration.
Petroleum ether showed significant stimulation at low
concentration (10%); while at high concentration (25, 50, 75 &
100%), it showed significant inhibition. The methanol extract
give significant inhibition at high concentration (50, 75 &
100%) only. The ethyl acetate and water extracts are the most
effective one against the seedling shoot growth of E. crus-galli.
3.4 Effect of different extracts on Brassica tournefortii :
The allelopathic potential of P. oleraecea seed extracts on the
seed germination of B. tournefortii at five day after treatment
(DAT) is shown in (Table 7). The degree of inhibition in seed
germination increased with the increasing concentration of the
extract. Ethyl acetate and water extracts showed highest
inhibition at high concentration (75 & 100%). Methanol extract
is the lowest extract showed non-significant effect.
The effect of P. oleraecea seed extracts on the speed of
accumulated germination index of B. tournefortii is shown in
(Table 7). All extracts showed inhibitory effect, while ethyl
acetate, water and petroleum ether extracts showed highly
significant inhibition at high concentration (50, 75 & 100%).
Ethyl acetate and water extracts showed the highest inhibition
effect at 100%.
The allelopathic potential of P. oleraecea seed extracts on the
seedling root growth of B. tournefortii at ten DAT is shown in
(Table 8). Ethyl acetate and methanol extracts at low
concentration (10%), showed significant stimulatory effects.
While water and petroleum ether showed non-significant
stimulatory effect at higher concentration (25, 50, 75 & 100%)
it attained inhibitory concentration. Water and ethyl acetate
extracts give the highest inhibition at 100% concentration.
The allelopathic potential of P. oleraecea seed extracts on the
seedling shoot growth of B. tournefortii at ten DAT is shown
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394
in (Table 8). The ethyl acetate extracts showed significant
stimulatory effect at low concentration (10 & 25%). Ethyl
acetate, water and petroleum ether extracts showed significant
inhibitory effect at high concentration (75 &100%), water
extract give the highest inhibitory effect on the shoot length
(2.7 mm) at 100% concentration.
P. oleraecea contained a relatively high content of both
phenolics (4.4 mg/g dry weight) and flavonoids (2.5 mg/g dry
weight). One or more of these compounds may be responsible
for its allelopathic effect .It is possible that phytotoxins
released from P.oleracea may accumulate in soil in
biologically significantly amounts and thereby play a key role
as a habitat variable, exerting a causative influence on growth
and development of other neighbouring plants.
3.5 Active constituents of P. oleraecea seed
Results of chemical composition have been shown in table 9.
The total phenolic compound of P. oleraecea seed was 4.4
mg/g dry weight, while the total flavonoids attained 2.5 mg/g
dry weight.
4 Discussions
Weeds compete with crop plants for different growth factors
and add significantly to the cost of farm operations (Qasem,
2003). Optimum crop production depends on successful weed
control. In the present study water extract of P. oleraecea
seeds showed stimulation effect on the seed germination, root
and shoot of C. endivia, at low concentrations (10 &
25%),(10%) and(10%) respectively and on seed germination
,speed of accumulated germination index and root growth of E.
crus- galli. The petroleum ether extract showed stimulatory
effect on seed germination of L. sativa and shoot growth of E.
crus- galli at low concentration(10%), ethyl acetate showed
significant stimulatory effect on root and shoot growth of B.
tournefortii while methanol extract showed significant
stimulatory effect on root growth of B. tournefortii only. These
findings are supported by the findings of Corsato et al. (2010)
and Gliessman (2000) who stated that the allelopathic effect is
a natural interference in which the plant produces substances
and metabolites that may benefit or harm other
plants/organisms when released, While at high concentration
(50, 75 &100%), it showed significance inhibition. P. oleracea
contains many biologically active compounds may be one of
these compounds are responsible for the allelopathic effect of
Portulaca oleracea seed extracts.
Germination bioassays are used widely to assess the
allelopathic potential, speed of accumulated germination index
is the most sensitive for this evaluation (Anjum & Pajwa,
2005). Seeds of lettuce (L. sativa) were used for bioassays,
lettuce seeds function as standard test plants because they are
recognized as a sensitive and reliable species commonly used
in bioassays. The present study indicated that, the P. oleraecea
seed extracts inhibit the germination and growth of the treated
plant species at high concentrations, inhibition of germination
 395
may be due to the reduced rate of cell division and cell
elongation due to the presence of allelochemicals (Kaletha et
al., 1997) or may be due to the interfering of allelochemicals
with physiological and biochemical processes in target species
(Blanco, 2007). Inhibition of germination comparing to control
could be explained by the presence of glycol alkaloids and
tannins in the studied extracts (Serafimov et al., 2005).
Water and ethyl acetate extracts are the most potent extracts
against the germination of C. endivia. Echinochloa crus-galli
is the most significant biological constraint to rice production
(Waterhouse, 1994). The results showed that, P. oleraecea
seed extracts significantly inhibit the germination and growth
of E. crus-galli in lower manner than those for Cucumis
sativus (Uremis et al., 2005; Thi et al., 2008). The inhibition
effect of all P oleracea seed extracts in the present study
increased with an increase of extract concentrations indicating
that the effect of plant extracts depends very much on their
concentrations. These results confirm that allelopathy is a
concentration dependent phenomena (Waterhouse, 1994).
B. tournefortii is one of serious invasive species in Egypt; it
can compete with and reduce the productivity of native plants
(Brooks & Pyke, 2002) . The germination and seedling growth
of B. tournefortii inhibited by the different P. oleraecea seed
extracts at higher concentration which are comparable to the
Tribulus terrestris on the same weed (El-Ghareeb, 1991).
Higher concentration contains more quantity of
allelochemicals ,which enhance ability of an extract to show
better inhibition due to synergistic effect (Cammal-Maldonado
et al., 2001).
Water extract were the most inhibitory extract to seed
germination of C. endiva, seedling shoot growth of E. crus-
galli, seedling shoot growth of C. endivia, and seedling root
growth of C. endivia. Methanol extracts were the inhibitoriest
extract to seed germination of L. sativa, seedling shoot and
root growth and also seed germination of E. crus- gall. Thus
water and methanol extracts have the most inhibitory effect
than ethyl acetate and petroleum ether extracts. Inhibition of
germination comparing to control could be explained by the
presence of glycol alkaloids and tannins in the studied extracts
(Shehata et al., 1990). These results could be attributed to the
presence of phenolics (4.4 ± 0.023 mg/g dry weight)and
flavonoids (2.5 ± 0.015 mg/g dry weight) as it appeared from
the present investigation
It is widely accepted that the production of secondary
metabolites, particularly phenolic compounds, can play a direct
role in self-defense and plant protection to cope with the stress
created by external conditions. The inhibitory effect of the
selected weeds in the present study could be due to
interference of allelochemicals with the key enzymes of
metabolism and cell division and elongation (Levizou et al.,
2002). The results of the present study are in harmony with
those of Mardani et al. (2012), who found that root length is
more affected than shoot growth.
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Shehata
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