Allelopathic effects of red pepper (Capsicum annuum L.) and coriander (Coriandrum sativum L.) on early seedling growth of wheat (Triticum aestivum L.)

A pot experiment was conducted to assess the effects of red pepper (<i>Capsicum annuum</i>) and coriander (<i>Coriandrum sativum</i>) on seedling growth of wheat (<i>Triticum aestivum</i>). The aqueous extracts treatment of red pepper and coriander showed a significant (<i>p</i> < 0.05) reduction in root, shoot and seedling length, number of leaves and seedling dry weight of wheat (<i>T. aestivum</i>) as compared to control. The inhibitory different effect on growth of wheat (<i>T. aestivum</i>) was directly proportional to the increasing concentration (1, 2, 3, 4 and 5%) of aqueous extracts of red pepper and coriander as compared to control treatment (0%). The root, shoot, seedling length and number of leaves of <i>T. aestivum</i> significantly <i>p</i> < 0.05 decreased at 5% concentration of red pepper as compared to control. The root, shoot and seedling growth of <i>T. aestivum</i> was also significantly reduced at 1, 2, 3, 4 and 5% concentration of coriander as compared to control. The root, shoot and leaves dry weight of <i>T. aestivum</i> at 5% coriander extract treatment concentration decreased as compared to control. The tolerance in seedlings of <i>T. aestivum</i> to red pepper and coriander extract treatment was dose dependent as compared to control. The seedlings of <i>T. aestivum</i> showed low percentage of tolerance to pepper extract treatment than coriander extract treatment.