Abstract
Objective: The aim of the study was to evaluate the bioherbicidal activity of Withania somnifera against germination and growth of noxious weeds of Himalaya i.e. Ageratum coenyzoides, Chenopodium album and Achyranthus aspera in a laboratory and foliar spray bioassay which will act as a tool of weed management in the Himalayan region.Methods: Root, stem and leaf aqueous extract of Withania somnifera at 100% concentration were applied to determine their effect on the seed germination and seedling growth of tested weeds under laboratory condition. Foliar spray bioassay was carried out by spraying extracts of Withania somnifera on three-month-old seedlings of weeds for two months. Germination and growth of weeds were assessed using growth parameters into account i.e. germination percentage, stem length, root length, fresh weight, dry weight, no of shoot branches and no of root branches.Results: The results revealed that all the aqueous extracts markedly suppressed germination and seedling growth of A. coenyzoides, C. album and A. aspera. Withania extracts remarkably effected germination, the growth of Ageratum coenyzoides in comparison to other studied weeds. The leaf extract of Withania was more pronounced than stem and root extracts in germination assay. Infoliarspray bioassay, aqueous leaf extracts of 100% w/v concentrations were sprayed on three month old seedlings of weeds at an interval of 5 d. All the aqueous extracts significantly suppressed shoot length, root length, fresh weight and dry weight of Ageratum coenyzoides, Chenopodium album and Achyranthus aspera seedling. In foliar spray bioassay, leaf extract suppressed the stem length, root length, fresh weight, dry weight, no. of root branches and no of shoot branches of studied weeds more commendably than stem and root extract. The suppression of growth parameters could be attributed to the presence of phytochemicals present in the extracts of Withaniasomnifera.Conclusion: The present study concludes that Withania somnifera contain bio-herbicidal compounds in leaf, stem and root as plant extracts adversely affect weed growth of studied weeds. Henceforth the strategy bio-control of weed is a safe and effective method which could prove a milestone in weed management in Mid-Himalaya.
Highlights
In Himalayan ecosystem one of the challenging issues is to control weeds which is a threatening problem for plant diversity
Chenopodium album, Ageratum coenyzoides and Achyranthus aspera were germinated in the leaf, stem and root extracts of Withania somnifera
Germination initiated by 3rd day in control while in root and stem extract treatments the seed germination initiated by 4th day
Summary
In Himalayan ecosystem one of the challenging issues is to control weeds which is a threatening problem for plant diversity. Allelopathy is a pragmatic approach for sustainable weed management. Every aspect of allelopathy is interlinked with allelochemicals, which are secondary metabolites, produced by the plants as the by-products of their metabolic processes [2]. The higher concentrations of allelechemicals usually inhibit the growth of recipient plants and soil microorganisms or both. These allelochemicals could be extracted from the plants and applied over target weed for getting desirable weed management. Such a herbicidal effect of plants against weeds is less toxic and harmful to ecology. Allelopathic interaction of plants is present need to be used as potentially safe weedicide [3]
Sign-in/Register to view highlights & summary Sign-in/Register to access full text options 
Talk to us
Join us for a 30 min session where you can share your feedback and ask us any queries you have
Schedule a callMore From: International Journal of Pharmacy and Pharmaceutical Sciences
Disclaimer: All third-party content on this website/platform is and will remain the property of their respective owners and is provided on "as is" basis without any warranties, express or implied. Use of third-party content does not indicate any affiliation, sponsorship with or endorsement by them. Any references to third-party content is to identify the corresponding services and shall be considered fair use under The CopyrightLaw.
