Agriculture & Food, Volume 13, 2025

Abstract: A field biotest study was carried out to assess the effect of buckwheat soil exudates on the germination and seedling growth of white mustard. After harvesting of buckwheat, the seeds of white mustard were sown into plots without buckwheat (control) and with soil exudates of buckwheat varieties (Zoe and Harpe) in sole, intercrop with sorghum, mulched with straw and in mixtures with Phacelia + Sinapis to constitute nine treatments laid out in a randomized complete block design with three replicates. Data were collected on germination %, plant height (cm), number of leaves/plant, total leaf area (cm2 )/plant, stem girth (cm), root length (cm) and chlorophyll. Fresh plant weight (kg/ha), dry matter weight (kg/ha), fresh root weight (kg/ha), dry root weight (kg/ha), relative root length (%), germination inhibition rate (%) and root inhibition rate (%) were determined. Data obtained were analyzed using analysis of variance and means were separated using Duncan’s Multiple Range Test at 5% level of probability. The results obtained revealed that the treatment without buckwheat exudates had a significant higher germination (100%), plant height (12.69cm) and root length (5.09 cm) than other treatments. The most pronounced inhibitory effects were observed in the Zoe + straw treatment, which resulted in 60% germination and Zoe + Phacelia + Sinapis mixture with the least plant height (6.40cm) and root length (2.13cm) compared to the control. The highest germination (40%) and root (57.99%) inhibition rates were observed in Zoe + straw and Zoe + Phacelia + Sinapis, suggesting a significant negative impact of buckwheat exudates on white mustard germination and root development. Hence, the study suggests that buckwheat be employed as a natural bioherbicide in crop rotations and intercropping systems to reduce weed competition and promote high yields.