Abstract
The present study was aimed to investigate the allelopathic influence of two weed species Cyperus rotundus L. and Cleome viscosa L. against the growth of Black gram (Vigna mungo (L.) Hepper). Aqueous extracts (5%, 10%, 25%, 50%, 75% and 100% concentrations) of whole plants of C. rotundus and C. viscosa were employed to investigate their influence on the germination and seedling growth of the black gram. The aqueous whole plants extracts ( from 5% to 100% concentrations) of C. rotundus and C. viscosa exhibited an inhibitory effects on all the parameters employed in the germination percentage, root and shoot growth, fresh and dry weight, content of chlorophyll, starch, sugar and protein contents of Black gram over control. The extracts of both the weeds caused a minimum inhibition on germination and seedling growth of Black gram at 5% concentration and the intensity of inhibition increased when increased extract concentrations. The aqueous extracts of C. rotundus and C. viscosa showed an inhibitory effect on Black gram but their effect was more severe on black gram by the extract treatments of C. rotundus than that of C. viscosa.
Highlights
Allelopathy is an important mechanism of plant interference by the addition of plant-produced phytotoxins to the plant environment
Plants produce a large variety of secondary metabolites like phenols, tannins, terpenoids, alkaloids, polyacetylenes, fatty acids and steroids, which have an allelopathic effect on the growth and development of the same plant or neighbouring plants
The seeds of Black gram started germinating on the third day and the maximum percentage of germination was observed on day 3th after soaking both in the control and in treatments
Summary
Allelopathy is an important mechanism of plant interference by the addition of plant-produced phytotoxins to the plant environment. Many of the phytotoxic substances suspected of causing germination and growth inhibition have been identified from plant tissues and soil. These substances are termed allelochemics or allelochemicals (Whittaker and Fenney, 1971). Allelochemicals refer mostly to the secondary metabolites produced by plants and are the by products of primary metabolic processes (Levin, 1976) and they have no physiological function essential for the maintenance of life. Some of the toxic effects of decomposition products on plants are inhibition of seed germination, stunted growth, inhibition of the primary root system and increase in secondary roots, inadequate nutrient absorption, chlorosis, slow maturation and delay or failure of reproduction (Patrick and Koch, 1958; Patrick et al, 1964). The present investigation an attempt has been made to determine the allelopathic effect of two weed species i.e. Cyperus rotundus L. and Cleome viscosa L. on the growth of black gram (Vigna mungo (L.) Hepper)
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