Allelopathic Effects of Schima khasiana and Michelia champaca on Germination and Growth of Some Legume and Cereal Crops of North Eastern Himalayan Region

Abstract

Allelopathic influences of Michelia champaca and Schima khasiana were tested in bioassay on two cereal crops (maize-Zea mays and paddy-Oryza sativa), and two legume food crops (rice bean- Vigna umbellata and soybean- Glycine max). The aqueous leaf extracts of fresh dried leaves of above tree species suppressed the growth of test crops. The study revealed that Michelia champaca and Schima khasiana are least toxic to germination, growth and yield of various test crops. Although, germination and growth of paddy and soybean was adversely affected by aqueous extracts of tree species, however, magnitude of toxicity was very less which is evident from the dry matter production of various test crops. Rice bean and maize have been found resistant to phytotoxicity. It is therefore; well evident from the data that maize, paddy, rice bean and soybean can be grown successfully in the proximity of Michelia champaca and Schima khasiana.