Abstract :
Weeds compete with crop plants for plant nutrients, light, waterand space, causing crop losses. Wild oat (Avena sterilisL.) is a weed that causeshigh yield loss in cereals. As organic agriculture gained importance, biological control of weeds increased. In this study, extracts of Plagiomnium undulatum,a moss species,were applied to A. sterilisseedlingsgrown under controlled conditions. Photosynthetic pigment amount, proline concentration, total protein amountand antioxidant enzyme activities were analyzed in developing seedlings. The data ofthe decrease in chlorophyll andprotein amounts, increase in proline concentration and catalase enzyme activity compared to negative controls prove that P. undulatumhas an allelopathiceffect on wild oats, suggestingthat it may be an alternative way for weed controlwith additional studies.
Keyword :
Avena sterilis, Photosynthetic Pigments,Moss, Catalase,Proline, Superoxide Dismutase, Total Protein.