Effects of Mikania micrantha H.B.K. on germination and growth of weed species

Abstract

Laboratory, greenhouse and field studies were conducted to determine the allelopathic potential ofMikania micrantha H.B.K. on the germination and growth of three weeds, namelyAsystasia intrusa Bl.,Chrysopogon aciculatus (Retz.) Trin. andPaspalum conjugatum Berg. The plant height of the test species decreased with increasing amounts of debris when either leaf or root debris of Mikania was present on the soil surface or incorporated into the soil. In general, incorporated debris caused greater reduction in height and seedling fresh weight than debris placed on the soil surface. Paspalum was more sensitive to either root or leaf of Mikania when incorporated into soil than on the soil surface. Leachate of Mikania leaf caused a significant reduction in radicle length and fresh weight of the seedlings of the test species. However, only Paspalum seeds showed significant decrease in germination when exposed to leaf leachate. Full-strength extract of either leaf or root caused a significant decrease in both germination and fresh weight of the test species. At the highest concentration, root extract of Mikania caused a marked reduction of radicle elongation of Paspalum.