Inorganic profile and allelopathic effect of endemic Inula Koelzii from Himalaya Pakistan

Inula koelzii of Astereaceae, an endemic plant growing at Ladakh and Kashmir regions, has been observed a potential allelopathic plant species. Further observing its allelopathic role, four subfractions (hexane, chloroform, butanol and water) were extracted from 80% MeOH of the aerial plant material. While using EDX technique for inorganic profile of each subfraction, it revealed 18 different elements i.e., C, O, Cl, K, Ca, Cr, Mn, Fe, Zn, Ag, Cd, Co, Ni, Cu, Al, Si, S and P. However, C, O, K, Fe, Zn and Co was present in highest percentages in each subfraction. Overall, chloroform (CHCl₃) revealed a composition of 13 different elements and the most abundant were Cl, K, Ca, Zn, Co, Ni, Cu and Al. To know the allelopathic effect of each subfraction, dish pack method was used for bioassay with a concentration gradient of 10, 30, 100 and 300ppm. The significant chloroform subfraction had highest specific activity compared to other four fractions and presented 85% inhibitory effect to germination of lettuce seeds. Hexane subfraction presented dose-response effect, while butanol and water subfraction presented stimulatory effects.