Allelopathic Potential of Selected Invasive Alien Weed Species and Mathematical Modelling of Rhizospheric Soil Impact of Ageratum conyzoides on Phaseolus vulgaris L.

Abstract

Terrestrial invasive alien weed plants are known to infest cultivated land, potentially releasing allelochemicals into the rhizosphere during decomposition, negatively impacting crop growth. This study aimed to evaluate: (1) the allelopathic activity of five invasive weed species (Ageratum conyzoides, Bidens pilosa, Cecropia peltata, Tithonia diversifolia, and Chromolaena odorata) on Lactuca sativa and Phaseolus vulgaris growth; and (2) the effects of A. conyzoides rhizospheric soil on P. vulgaris seed germination. Bioassays of aqueous and leachate extracts were prepared from fresh leaves of the invasive species at concentrations of 0%, 25%, 50%, 75%, and 100% to assess allelopathic effects on L. sativa and P. vulgaris seed germination. Additionally, rhizospheric soil from A. conyzoides stands was collected, processed, and applied at varied weights (0.5 - 7 kg) to P. vulgaris seeds, with germination observed over nine days. Polynomial regression analysis was applied to model the data. High-concentration extracts (75% and 100%) significantly inhibited germination, root, and shoot growth in both L. sativa and P. vulgaris (P 2 − 80.294922x3 + 41.541115x4 − 11.747532x5 + 1.8501702x6 − 0.1519795x7 + 0.0050631x8. Allelopathic effects were concentration-dependent, with roots more sensitive than shoots to the invasive extracts. L. sativa was the most susceptible, while P. vulgaris showed greater tolerance. Modelling the allelopathic impact of A. conyzoides rhizospheric soil offers valuable insight into the allelochemical dosage necessary to affect seed germination, informing potential agricultural management strategies for invasive plant control.