Allelopathic activity of Zea mays extracts on some physiological and anatomical features of corn and wheat cultivars

Wheat is often planted directly after maize in fields following the maize harvest, and maize residues decompose in the soil by various biological factors, releasing phenolic compounds that affect the germination and growth of some crops planted with or after it. This research aimed to identify the effect of Zea mays leaf extract on seed germination physiological and anatomical features of Z. mays var. (Drachma, Mahali) and Triticum aestivum var. (Baraka, Abu Ghraib) . The results showed Z. mays leaf extract stimulated some traits germination (100%) in Drachama at control, plumule length (7.8cm) in Abu-Graib, radicle length (11.6cm) in Baraka at 2%, fresh weight of plumule and radical (0.0113, 0.0148gm) respectively in Drachama at control. There was highest reduction germination (60%) in Drachama at 6% extract [plumule length (1.0)cm, radicle length (4.2cm), fresh weight of plumule (0.0052cm) in Mahali at 4%], fresh weight of radical (0.00026gm) in Abu-Graib at 6%. There was a difference in response in greenhouse experiments. Anatomical traits of the two corn cultivars differed at 2% and 4% concentrations. The highest increase in germination (96.7%) was in Baraka at 4%, shoot length (22.1cm) in Drachama at 4%, fresh weight of root (0.254gm) in Abu-Graib at 4%, [root length (44cm), fresh weight of root (0.052 gm) in Abu-Graib at 4%], the highest reduction in germination (80%) in Abu-Graib, dry weight of root (23gm) in Abu-Graib at 2%. Using HPLC, compounds tannic acid, gallic acid, benzoic acid, and salicylic acid were identified from Z. mays L. extracts. The study will help to develop sustainable agricultural practices, such as crop rotation, to increase crop productivity and reduce reliance on chemicals.