Abstract:
Cynodon dactylon (L) Pers is widespread cosmopolitan weed, including Pakistan. Its allelopathic potential was tested against wheat, barley and maize varieties-Sarhad white' and -Sarhad Yellow. The shoot and root litter or their aqueous extracts and soil collected from beneath Cynodon dactylon patches significantly reduced either the germination, early growth, biomass, moisture or chlorophyll contents of the susceptible species in various laboratory experiments. Paper chromatography indicated the presence of ferulic, P-coumaric, vanillic, p-hydroxybenzoic and syringic acids in the shoots and roots while gas chromatography revealed the last three and benzoic and caffeic acids. The toxicity was related to species and variety used, parts assayed and physiological parameters measured. The findings suggest that C. dactylon litter must be removed from the field due to allelopathic effects. These effects are, however, modified by other environmental factors.
Page(s):
8-18
DOI:
DOI not available
Published:
Journal: Pakistan Journal of Weed Science Research, Volume: 1, Issue: 1, Year: 1988