A pot experiment was conducted to investigate the possible allelopathic effect of Datura stramonium residue on germination, growth and some yield components of Swiss chard (Beta vulgaris var. cicla). The results showed that the lower level of Datura residue (0.5%, w/w) induced a stimulatory effect on the growth of shoot and root of Swiss chard. Inversely, high levels of incorporated residue (1 and 1.5%, w/w) reduced all growth parameters of shoot and root to the respective control except the number of leaves, the reduction was not significant. Similarly the lower level of Datura residue (0.5%, w/w) increased the chlorophyll content (a, b), nitrogen, phosphorus and potassium, but higher level (1 and 1.5%, w/w), residue induced negative effect in chlorophyll, nitrogen, phosphorus and potassium as compared with controls.

Keywords : Allelopathy, Swiss chard, Germination, Datura.