Sains Malaysiana 55(5)(2026): 802-811

http://doi.org/10.17576/jsm-2026-5505-03

 

Allelopathic Potential of Selected Invasive Plants on Early Seedling Growth of Weedy Rice (Oryza spp.)

(Potensi Alelopati Tumbuhan Invasif Terpilih terhadap Pertumbuhan Anak Benih Awal Padi Rumpai (Oryza spp.))

 

SITI NUR MARDHIAH ZAIWANNIZAR¹, RAIHAN ISMIL², NUR ARDIYANA REJAB^1,3 & MUHAMAD SHAKIRIN MISPAN^1,4,*

 

¹Institute of Biological Sciences, Faculty of Science, Universiti Malaya, 50603 Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia

²Department of Fiqh-Usul and Applied Science, Academy of Islamic Studies, Universiti Malaya, 50603 Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia

³Centre for Research in Biotechnology for Agriculture (CEBAR), Universiti Malaya, 50603 Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia

⁴Glami Lemi Biotechnology Research Centre, Universiti Malaya, 71450 Jelebu, Negeri Sembilan, Malaysia

 

Diserahkan: 2 November 2025/Diterima: 22 April 2026

 

Abstract

Weedy rice is a major constraint in rice cultivation, particularly in direct-seeded systems causing significant yield reduction. Current management practices often lack long-term sustainability and environmental safety. Allelopathy has emerged as a potential eco-friendly strategy for the control of weedy rice. This study aimed to evaluate the allelopathic potential of four invasive plant species namely Mimosa pigra, Dicranopteris linearis, Saccharum arundinaceum, and Leucaena leucocephalaagainst the early seedling growth of weedy rice. Dried leaf tissues of the four invasive species were tested using two standard bioassay techniques: dish pack and sandwich methods. Both methods were designed to assess the inhibitory effects of leaf volatiles and water-soluble compounds, respectively. The experiments were conducted under controlled conditions and included multiple weedy rice biotypes. All four invasive species exhibited allelopathic effects, significantly suppressing the shoot and root growth of weedy rice seedlings but limited effect on cultivated rice, MR220CL2. However, the magnitude of inhibition differed among weedy rice biotypes and between bioassay methods suggesting variation in allelochemical potency and modes of action. The tested invasive species possess allelopathic properties that may be explored for developing environmentally sustainable strategies for weedy rice management.

Keywords: Agroecological approach; bioherbicide development; eco-friendly weed management; pre-emergence control; sustainable agriculture

Abstrak

Padi angin merupakan salah satu kekangan utama dalam penanaman padi, khususnya dalam sistem tabur terus yang menyebabkan pengurangan hasil yang ketara. Amalan pengurusan semasa sering kali tidak mempunyai kelestarian jangka panjang dan keselamatan alam sekitar. Alelopati telah muncul sebagai satu strategi mesra alam yang berpotensi untuk kawalan padi angin. Penyelidikan ini dijalankan bagi menilai potensi alelopati empat spesies tumbuhan invasif iaitu Mimosa pigra, Dicranopteris linearis, Saccharum arundinaceum dan Leucaena leucocephala terhadap pertumbuhan awal anak benih padi angin. Tisu daun yang dikeringkan daripada keempat-empat spesies invasif ini diuji menggunakan dua teknik bioasai piawai iaitu kaedah pek piring dan kaedah sandwic. Kedua-dua kaedah ini direka untuk menilai kesan perencatan oleh sebatian meruap dan sebatian larut air daripada daun. Uji kaji dijalankan di bawah keadaan terkawal dan melibatkan beberapa biotip padi angin. Semua empat spesies invasif menunjukkan kesan alelopati yang ketara dengan merencat pertumbuhan pucuk dan akar anak benih padi angin, namun memberi kesan yang terhad terhadap varieti padi tanaman, MR220CL2. Walau bagaimanapun, tahap perencatan berbeza antara biotip padi angin dan antara kaedah bioasai, menunjukkan adanya variasi dalam keamatan alelokimia dan mekanisme tindakan alelokimia. Spesies invasif yang diuji mempunyai sifat alelopati yang boleh diteroka dalam pembangunan strategi pengurusan padi angin yang lestari dan mesra alam.

Kata kunci: Kawalan pra cambah; pembangunan bioherbisid; pendekatan agroekologi; pengurusan rumpai mesra alam; pertanian lestari

 

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*Pengarang untuk surat-menyurat; email: shakirin@um.edu.my