Abstract
Weeds with allelopathic effect have been reported to cause significant damage in agriculture particularly in smallholder farming systems. This study assessed the allelopathic effects of different concentrations of crude extract of a noxious weed Sphaeranthus suaveolens on seed germination and seedling growth of Phaseolus vulgaris and Oryza sativa by examining germination, seedling height, and total chlorophyll content after seven and fourteen days of crude extract treatment, respectively. Results showed that seed germination and seedling growth were significantly ( p < 0.001 ) decreased with increase in concentration of crude extract, signifying concentration dependency. Highest concentration (100%) of S. suaveolens crude extracts resulted in 90% and 100% inhibition of P. vulgaris and O. sativa seed germination, respectively. Chlorophyll content, fresh weight, and root and shoot length of both P. vulgaris and O. sativa were also significantly ( p < 0.001 ) affected by highest concentration (100%) of S. suaveolens crude extracts. Results from this study suggest that the extract of S. suaveolens contains water-soluble allelochemicals which significantly reduce growth and productivity of P. vulgaris and O. sativa.
Highlights
Weed invasion is becoming a major challenge in agricultural sector worldwide in smallholder farming systems [1, 2]
The seeds were air dried and stored in plastic bags. Seed viability of both plants was determined by the germination test [40], in which all the 20 seeds (100%) for each crop (10 P. vulgaris and 10 O. sativa seeds) that were selected randomly from a seed stock and planted in a Petri dish lined with cotton wool in early September 2019 germinated
Higher concentrations (75% and 100%) of S. suaveolens in both laboratory and screen house experiments were effective in suppressing both P. vulgaris and O. sativa seeds germination. e germination of P. vulgaris and O. sativa seeds was delayed at higher concentrations (75% and 100%) compared with the negative control (0%) and lower concentrations (25%) of the S. suaveolens crude extract. e mean percentage germination under 0% concentration was 100% for P. vulgaris and 90% for O. sativa in the laboratory, as compared with 100% for both P. vulgaris and O. sativa in the screen house experiment
Summary
Received 30 September 2020; Revised 6 January 2021; Accepted 4 February 2021; Published 15 February 2021. Is study assessed the allelopathic effects of different concentrations of crude extract of a noxious weed Sphaeranthus suaveolens on seed germination and seedling growth of Phaseolus vulgaris and Oryza sativa by examining germination, seedling height, and total chlorophyll content after seven and fourteen days of crude extract treatment, respectively. Results showed that seed germination and seedling growth were significantly (p < 0.001) decreased with increase in concentration of crude extract, signifying concentration dependency. Highest concentration (100%) of S. suaveolens crude extracts resulted in 90% and 100% inhibition of P. vulgaris and O. sativa seed germination, respectively. Chlorophyll content, fresh weight, and root and shoot length of both P. vulgaris and O. sativa were significantly (p < 0.001) affected by highest concentration (100%) of S. suaveolens crude extracts. Results from this study suggest that the extract of S. suaveolens contains water-soluble allelochemicals which significantly reduce growth and productivity of P. vulgaris and O. sativa
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