Influence of faba bean plant extract on the seed germination of three grass species

To analyze the allelopathic effect of faba bean (Vicia faba) to white clover (Trifolium repens), alafalfa (Medicago sativa) and Italian ryegrass (Lolium multiflorum), the seed germination and seedling growth of 3 plant species were studied under different concentrations (1.0%, 0.5% and 0.1%) of faba bean plant water extract. The results showed that the water extract of faba bean could inhibite the germination potential and germination percentage, and also retarded the seedling growth. The inhibitory effect increased along with the concentration water extract of faba bean plant. In addition, the inhibition to germination percentage of alfalfa outweighed that of white clover and ryegrass. The allelopathic index (RI) of faba bean plant water extract of 0.1%, 0.5%, and 1.0% to germination percentage of alfalfa are -0.63, -4.03, and -16.01, respectively. The water extract of faba bean plants could also inhibite the radical length, plumule length, seedling dry weight of three receiver plants. This study showed that white clover, alfalfa and Italian ryegrass should be planted as far as possible away from faba bean to avoid allelopathic effect to seed germination by faba bean.