Allelopathic Potential of Some Dominating Weeds Associated with Winter Crops

Abstract

Experiments were conducted to investigate the allelopathic potential of some dominating weeds (Coronopus didymus L., Trianthema portulacastrum L., Malvastrum coromandelianum L., Cirsium vulgare (Savi) Ten. and Chenopodium album L.) on winter crops i.e., pea (Pisum sativum L.), spinach (Spinacia oleracea L.), wheat (Triticum aestivum L.) and barley (Hordeum vulgare L.). The effects of different concentrations (0.5%, 1% and 2%) of weeds’ extracts were recorded using filter paper method. The extracts of Malvastrum coromandelianum and Cirsium vulgare significantly reduced the seed germination, hypocotyl and radicle growth of spinach. Hypocotyl and radicle growth of barley was highly inhibited under the influence of the extracts of Chenopodium album while the same species stimulated the seedling growth and germination of spinach at its all concentrations. The effects were found to be concentration dependent. The results have indicated that M. coromandelianum and C. vulgare are not suitable near other crops due to their adverse effects on crops. It was concluded that these species are not suitable in an intercropping system. Moreover, their plantation should be carefully assessed with in the crop field.