The allelopathic effect of sunflower residues on the growth of salt-stressed wheat plants

الملخص

A plastic pot experiment was done in a private nursery in Baquba, the center of Diyala Governorate, during the 2024-2025 growing season. Using three replicates and two variables in a randomized complete block design (RCBD), the experiment aimed to determine the effect of sunflower residues from three parts (roots, stems, and leaves) on the germination and growth characteristics of wheat seedlings under salt stress. Concentrations of 0, 6, 9, and 12 dS/m⁻¹ of NaCl were used. The results showed a significant decrease in the average values ​​of the studied traits with increasing concentrations of NaCl, particularly at 12 dS/m⁻¹. This concentration led to a decrease in germination percentage (46.2%), plant height (53.2%), and the number of branches per plant (19.6%), as well as in the other studied traits. The results indicated that adding sunflower residues to the soil yielded the best results for the studied traits, especially the leaf residues, as they showed the greatest increase in germination percentage and number of branches per plant. Branching in the plant is 8.8% and 37%, respectively.