Allelopathic effect of aqueous extracts of different parts of Tinospora cordifolia (Willd.) Miers on some weed plantsa

Abstract

The present study was conducted to investigate the allelopathic effects of Tinospora cordifoliaweed on seed germination and seedling growth of weed plants (Chenopodium album L.Chenopodium murale L., Cassia tora L. and Cassia sophera L.). Leaf and stem aqueous extracts of Tinospora at 0.5, 1.0, 2.0 and 4.0% concentrations were applied to determine their effect on seed germination and seedling growth of test plants under laboratory conditions. The aqueous extracts from stem and leaf had inhibitory effect on seed germination of test plants. Aqueous extracts from leaf and stem inhibited root length, shoot length and dry weight. Root length, shoot length of weed species decreased progressively when plants were exposed to increasing concentration (0.5, 1, 2 and 4%). Aqueous extract of leaves shows the maximum inhibition while stem shows the least affect on weeds. The pH of aqueous extracts of different parts of T. cordifolia does not show any major change when the concentration increased. Key words: Allelopathy, aqueous extract, Chenopodium album, Chenopodium murale, Cassia tora, Cassia sophera, Tinospora cordifolia.