Abstract:
The potential of allelochemicals from Pyllanthus virgatus to inhibit plant germination and growth was tested using 10 common weed species. An aqueous extract of P. virgatus (leaf/stem/fruit), was mixed with agar to produce a 5% FW/v substrate concentration. Seeds of Apium leptophyllum, Avena fatua, Bidens pilosa, Chenopodium album, Echinochloa crus-galli, Lolium rigidium, Parthenium hysterophorus, Raphanus raphanistrum, Sonchus oleraceous and Urochloa pannicoides were placed on the agar and germinated under controlled conditions for 7-16 days. The extract caused a significant reduction in the germination of A. leptophyllum, L. rigidium, P. hysterophorus and S. Oleraceous from 100% down to 63.2%, 88.0%, 49.4% and 40.8%, respectively. Shoot growth was significantly reduced by 8.1% to 65.8% in most weed species. Root growth was so severely affected in all species that the survival of seedlings would be unlikely if the extract environment was maintained.
Page(s):
7-11
DOI:
DOI not available
Published:
Journal: Pakistan Journal of Weed Science Research, Volume: 18, Issue: SI, Year: 2012