PHYTOCHEMICAL PROFILING AND ALLELOPATHIC IMPACT OF CONOCARPUS ERECTUS L. ON SELECTED AGRICULTURAL CROPS

Abstract

The role of phytochemicals in agricultural system is increasingly recognized for its potential to supress or promote plant growth. The study was aimed to screen major phytochemicals and evaluate allelopathic potential of Conocarpus erectus plant parts against germination and growth of wheat, barley and spinach. For phytochemical analysis, four different solvent extracts (aqueous, methanol, acetone and petroleum ether) of plant parts (stem, leaf and bark) were used. Tannins, phenols and quinones were present while flavonoids, alkaloids and phlobatannins were absent in all extracts of C. erectus L. plant parts. For allelopathic evaluation of plant parts, filter paper method was used to apply different concentrations (0.5%, 1% and 2%) of aqueous extracts. Leaf and bark extracts mostly stimulated the germination of spinach and wheat at all concentrations. However, the hypocotyl and radicle growths of wheat were mostly inhibited by all plant parts. The inhibition was found to be concentration dependent. The maximum inhibition of radicle growth was observed by bark extract. Results from experiments showed that C. erectus has some allelopathic effects on crops. It has the potential to cause biochemical and physiological damage to cultivated crops. Therefore, pro-active preventative management of C. erectus L. is required around the crops like wheat, spinach and barley. It should be planted carefully as a boarder cover. Further investigations are required for the possible phytochemicals present in C. erectus.