Allelopathic Activity and Chemical Constituents of Extracts from Leaves and Stems of Kherchoun (Hertia cheirifolia)

Allelopathy is a common biological phenomenon by which one organism produces biochemicals that influence the growth, survival, development, and reproduction of other organisms. The aim of this study was to investigate the phytochemical screening of the various extracts of Kherchoun (Hertia cheirifolia) and the evaluation of antioxidant capacities, by the DPPH test (2, 2-diphenyl-1-picrylhydrazyl), and of their allelopathic effects, vis-à-vis the two species: Vetch (Vicia sativa L.) and triticale (Triticosecale wittm L.). Biochemical analysis results showed that the highest total lipid content was observed at the leaf level (9%). The aqueous extracts of the leaves are rich in polyphenols, with a rate of 268.67mg EAG/g MS, compared to the stems (242.67mg EAG/g MS). The levels of flavonoids are higher in the leaves (38.67mg EAG/g MS) but lower in the stems (24.75mg EAG/g MS). On the other hand, the highest total tannin content recorded at leaf level is 608.33 mg EAG/g MS and the lowest is recorded in the stems (505 mg EAG/g MS). In contrast, the aqueous extract of the stems has the highest condensed tannin content (0.049 mg EAG/g MS), compared to that of the leaves (0.036 mg EAG/g MS). The two extract .Both aqueous extracts of Hertia cheirifolia are endowed with good antioxidant abilities. CI50 =139.43 2.99a μg/mL at leaf level and CI50 =111.38 22.2a μg/mL at stem level.Concerning the allelopathic study, the results obtained showed that the two extracts (Leaves and stems) of Hertia cheirifolia exerted different effects on the germination parameters of weed seeds of vetch (Vicia sativa L.) and triticale (Triticosecale wittm L.). Indeed, the two extracts exerted very important inhibitory effects, vis-à-vis the two seeds tested, on the germination and development of the seedlings (length of the root and length of the aerial part), in a significant and dose-dependent way.