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Abstract

This study evaluated the allelopathic effects of Avena fatua L. aqueous extract on wheat (Triticum aestivum cv. Line 9495) across eleven concentrations (0, 0.01, 0.02, 0.05, 0.1, 0.2, 0.5, 1, 2, 5 and 10%, w/v) in a laboratory bioassay (completely randomized design, three replicates) and a field experiment (randomized complete block design, four replicates) during the rabi (winter) season, and quantified the economic consequences by partial budget analysis. In the laboratory bioassay, germination and seedling growth were maximally promoted at 0.05% (final germination by 17%, root length by 21% and shoot length by 51% over the control; P ≤ 0.05), while the highest concentration (10%) strongly inhibited germination by 33%, root length by 100%, shoot length by 52% and seedling vigor index by 72% relative to the control. In the field, 0.05% extract produced the highest leaf area index (7.8) and crop growth rate (14.4 g m−2 d−1) and increased grain yield by 14.8% over the control, whereas 10% extract reduced grain yield by 40.5%. Partial budget analysis confirmed that 0.05% was the only treatment returning a higher net benefit than the control (PKR 420,047; USD 1,500 ha−1). In conclusion, low concentrations of A. fatua aqueous extract promote wheat germination, growth and yield, while high concentrations are strongly inhibitory, demonstrating a concentration-dependent biphasic allelopathic response. The extract at a low dose may be exploited as a naturally plant-derived biostimulant for organic and low-input wheat production.

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