Evaluation of the allelopathic potential of quinoa (Chenopodium quinoa willd.)

Abstract

The allelopathic effects of three plant tissues of Chenopodium quinoa (leaves, roots and inflorescences) on oat growth were investigated using in vivo tests. Oat growth (fresh and dry weights of above and underground parts) was significantly inhibited from phytotoxic activity of inflorescence tissues, leaves and roots of C. quinoa in pot experiments. The inhibiting actions of aqueous crude extracts of the several plant parts were examined using three bioassay methods: (a) seed germination and radicle growth of oat, (b) fresh and dry weight of bean and (b) fresh weight of duckweed plants. All three in vitro tested species exhibited greater phytotoxic response from the inflorescence tissues, than from the other parts of quinoa, confirming the results of in vivo studies on the potential allelopathic activity of this promising crop.