Evaluation of Ficus nitida Allelopathic Potential and the Most Efficient Application Method for Controlling Weeds Associated with Sunflower Plant

Abstract Allelopathy is a phenomenon by which plants positively or negatively affect neighboring releasing allelopathic compounds. These allelochemicals are secondary metabolites found in different concentrations shoots, roots, leaves, flowers, and even pollen grains. Allelochemicals have potential as natural bioherbicides for controlling weeds when applied the form of extracts through intercropping, cover cropping, mulching. The present study was conducted to investigate Ficus nitida leaves against Echinochloa crus-galli L. Corchorus olitorius L associated with sunflower plant via two application methods (mixing F. leaf powder soil foliar spray alcoholic extract). Two pot experiments were carried out summer seasons 2020 2021 greenhouse National Research Centre (NRC), Dokki, Giza, Egypt. Nine treatments completely randomized block design. Three before sowing, namely mixed at rates 15, 30, 45 g/pot. other three extract sprayed twice on both 10, 20, 30% (w/v) concentrations. Additionally, check treatments—healthy (sunflower only), unweeded, only—were comparison. recorded results showed that had an bioherbicidal effect weeds. By increasing concentration extract, increased. Moreover, superior method Mixing g/pot ranked second after this treatment. A noticeable result these improved growth parameters yield traits. Quantitative estimation phenolic compounds flavonoids demonstrated higher than water extract. acid detected high-performance liquid chromatography fractionation