Allelopathic Effects of Tree of Economic Importance on Germination and Growth of Food Crops

Abstract

ABSTRACT Phytotoxic effects of tree species (Terminalia bellirica, Terminalia chebula, Aegle marmelos and Sapindus mukorossi) were studied in bioassay on germination and radicle-plumule growth of field crops. Terminalia chebula and Terminalia bellirica were most toxic tree species. The leaf and bark extracts of these tree species significantly inhibited the germination, radicle and plumule growth of test crops. Among the test crops Amaranthus caudatus and Echinochola frumentaceae were found most susceptible, Lens culinaris showed moderate resistance while Triticum aestivum was the most resistant test crop. In general, leaf extracts were more toxic and influenced maximum germination and radicle growth of test crops as compared to bark extracts. Present investigation shows that these tree species have allelopathic potential and contain water-soluble substances. They have inhibitory effects at higher concentrations but at low concentrations they have stimulatory effects. The importance of these tree crops as important agroforestry tree species decreased in order S. mukorossi < A. marmelos < T. chebula < T.bellirica.