ALLELOPATHIC EFFECT OF INTERCROPS ON THE GERMINATION OF CHENOPODIUM ALBUM SEEDS

Abstract

Intercrops in agricultural crops increase the biodiversity of agroecosystems and can provide ecosystem services, including reducing weed germination, as they release allelochemical compounds that inhibit weed seed germination and growth. It is important to understand the interaction between weeds and intercrop plants in order to develop cultivation technologies whose intercrops would contribute to local weed control. This experiment was carried out between 2024–2025 at the Experimental Station of the Agriculture Academy of Vytautas Magnus University. The aim of this research was to determine the allelopathic properties of cover crop and legume mulches and to evaluate their effect on the germination of seeds of  Chenopodium album L., seedling and root growth, and dry matter accumulation. A laboratory experiment with two factors was conducted: factor A – biomass of the aboveground part of cover crop plants, factor B – concentrations of aqueous extract and distilled water (control). The conducted studies and their results showed that the extracts of the studied intermediate plants have a significant effect on the germination of wite Chenopodium album L. seeds, seedling height and root length, and the content of dry matter in germinated seeds. The obtained results allow us to determine the strength and direction of the allelopathic effect and evaluate the use of the studied plants in sustainable weed control strategies.