Journal of Plant Process and Function

Different species of the Chenopodiaceae family have allopathic effects because they contain active terpene and phenolic compounds. Quinoa is one of the plants in this family that has a very high content of phenolic substances and it can have this feature. In order to investigate the allopathic effects of aqueous extract of this plant residue on electrolyte leakage, biochemical content, antioxidants and photosynthetic pigments of wheat seedlings,  an experiment was carried out in a factorial arrangement based on a completely randomized design with 4 replications. The studied factors included the aqueous extract of the flowers, leaves, stems, and roots of quinoa at six concentrations 0 (control), 5, 25, 50, 75, and 100%. The measured traits were electrolyte leakage, malondialdehyde concentration, chlorophyll content a, b and total, carotenoids, anthocyanin protein, superoxide dismutase, peroxidase and catalase. The results showed that the type of organ had a significant effect on all the studied traits except the total protein. Also, the concentration of the extract and the interaction of the type of organ and the concentration of the extract had a significant effect on all traits of wheat seedlings. High concentrations of various organs extract increased electrolyte leakage and malondialdehyde concentration. It also increased the content of antioxidants such as anthocyanins, superoxide dismutase, peroxidase and catalase. In this experiment, the content of chlorophyll a (58%), chlorophyll b (68%), total chlorophyll (67%), carotenoids (62%) and protein (10%) decreased under the influence of quinoa organ extract. It should be noted that the effect of low concentrations of extracts prepared on the leakage rate of electrolytes and chlorophyll a was positive, but the effect of high concentrations was negative.