Allelopathic effect of Leaf Extracts of some Common Weeds on Seed Germination Characteristics and Growth of Oryza sativa L.

Author: Harvinder Kaur Sidhu, Iftikhar Ahmed Malik, Mayank Varun and Rohan John D’souza

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Abstract

The present study was conducted to investigate the allelopathic effects of Amaranthus viridis, Lantana camara and Achyranthes aspera on seed germination and seedling growth of Basmati rice (Oryza sativa L.). Aqueous leaf extracts of weeds at 50% conc. and 100% conc. were applied to determine their effects on seed germination characteristics, seedling length and dry weight of Basmati IR-8 variety of rice plant under in vitro conditions. In field experiment, 5g/kg and 10g/kg of the weeds’ leaf powder was used to study the above mentioned parameters along with the leaf surface area and chlorophyll content. The aqueous extracts of the weeds under study caused inhibitory effects on seed germination characteristics, seedling length, dry weight, leaf surface area and chlorophyll content of basmati IR-8 variety of rice plant. The leaf extract of Amaranthus viridis had the most inhibitory effect on test plant followed by Lantana camara. Interestingly, the effects of Achyranthes aspera varied with the growth matrix. Hot water extracts of the weeds were found to be more effective than cold water extracts and inhibitory effects was linearly proportional to the conc. of the weeds as it increased with the increase in the conc. of the weeds.

Keywords

Allelopathy, weeds, seed germination characteristics and growth

Conclusion

Amaranthus viridis inhibited the germination and growth of rice variety IR-8 the most followed by Lantana camara. These findings are significant as inhibition of germination and growth translates into decreased productivity. Hence, such weed-crop interactions need to be taken into consideration also. The results of petridish and pot experiments varied for Achyranthes aspera. Thus, it is of vital importance to corroborate any in vitro findings with the subsequent Greenhouse and field trials which take into account diverse natural conditions which plants face while growing without human interference. Furthermore, there is need to further work on the allelopathic stress of such species under varied climatic and soil conditions and also to quantify the allelopathic compounds.

References

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How to cite this article

Harvinder Kaur Sidhu, Iftikhar Ahmed Malik, Mayank Varun and Rohan John D’souza (2023). Allelopathic effect of Leaf Extracts of some common Weeds on Seed Germination Characteristics and Growth of Oryza sativa L. Biological Forum – An International Journal, 15(1): 475-481.