Management tactics for handling Parthenium hysterophorus in non-native environment through phytotoxic compounds of local species

Abstract

Parthenium hysterophorus L. is an invasive, ubiquitous and infamous herbaceous weed causing suppression of natural vegetation and crop plants. The identification of phytotoxins in local weed species (Datura stramonium, Achyranthes aspera, Chenopodium album, Calotropis procera, C. murale and Melilotus indica) was done through high performance liquid chromatography (HPLC) to check their herbicidal potential against P. hysterophorus. Additionally, filter paper petri plate based and soil filled pot experiments were conducted in laboratory and wire house to evaluate the pre- and post-emergence herbicidal potential of plant water extract of D. stramonium alone and in combination with A. aspera, C. album C. procera, C. murale and M. indica at 2.5, 5 and 10% (w/v) concentrations against germination and seedling growth of P. hysterophorus. The phytotoxins detected in extracts of these plant species were quercetin, gallic, chlorogenic, p-coumaric, m-coumaric, sinapinic, caffeic, benzoic and syringic acids with variable concentrations. Total highest concentration of phytotoxins (61.37 mg L-1) was found in A. aspera while the lowest concentration (7.69 mg L-1) was found in C. album aqueous extract. Significant reduction in germination and seedling growth of P. hysterophorus was shown by all extract combinations that increased in direct proportion to their concentrations. The 10% water extract of D. stramonium in combination with C. procera and A. aspera proved to be the best as they resulted maximum reductions in germination percentage (100 and 95%), shoot length (67 and 62%), and shoot dry weight (67 and 78%) of P. hysterophorus, respectively. (C) 2019 Friends Science Publishers