Allelopathic influence of Eragrostis curvula water extract on seed germination and seedling growth of two other species

Weeping lovegrass (Eragrostis curvula Schrad. Nees) is a very agressive tropical species and does not grow well with other species. This study was set up to investigate the allelopathic effect of various extract concentrations of weeping lovegrass on seed germination of white clover (Trifolium repens L.) and bentgrass (Agrostis stolonifera L.) and the seedling development of white clover. Labotatory and growth chamber studies were conducted. Extract concentrations of 13.6, 27.2, 40.8, 54.4, and 62.0 g/100mL of water were studied. Treatments were arranged in a completely ramdomized design with three replications. The allelopathic effect of weeping lovegrass was significant (P<0.01) on white clover and bentgrass. White clover was affected by lower extract concentration than bentgrass. The seedling growth of white clover was reduced when compared with the control (P<0.01) for root growth and (P<0.04) for whole plant. The osmotic potential also affected (P<0.01) seed germination of white clover. For the highest concentrated solution there was a decrease of 20% on the seed germination of white clover due to the water potential.