effect of extract of fast growing species trifolium alexandrium l. on germination, photosynthetic pigments and nutrient uptake of prosopis cineraria (l.) druce

in a completely randomized design, the effect of the extract from trifolium alexandrium (0, 0.2 and 0.4%) on the germination, some morphological characteristics, photosynthetic pigments, and nutrients uptake of prosopis cineraria was evaluated. the highest germination rate and percentage (9.16 and 21%, respectively) were recorded in the 0.2% treatment. the maximum and minimum lengths of radicle (6.58 and 3.16 cm) and pedicel (6.56 and 14.23 cm), and dry weight were recorded in the control and 0.4% treatments, respectively. the highest level of chlorophyll a (16.80 mg g-1 fresh weight) was found in the control. the highest and lowest chlorophyll b (9.65 and 7.96 mg g-1 fresh weight) were measured in the 0.2%and control, respectively. the extract adversely affected the nutrient uptake by p. cineraria, the minimum and maximum of which were recorded at the 0.4%and control treatments, respectively. in general, although the extract of t. alexandrium increased the p. cineraria germination in the 0.2% treatment, the increased concentrations led to its reduced growth and nutrient uptake. therefore, the simultaneous cultivation of these two species in the dry lands is not recommended.