ALLELOPATHIC EFFECT OF PARTHENIUMHYSTEROPHORUS EXTRACT ON SEED GERMINATION AND SEEDLING GROWTH OF SELECTED PLANTS

The present study was performed to investigate the allelopathic effect of Parthenium hysterophorus aqueous extract on seed germination and seedling growth of selected eight plants viz. Allium sativum L. (Garlic), Brassica campestris L. hysterophorus at 0%, 25%, 50%, 75% and 100% were applied to examine their effects under pot culture. The experiment was laid down in a completely randomized design using two replicates. The result revealed that the aqueous leaf extract of P. hysterophorus significantly reduced the germination and suppresses the growth parameters of tested species. The highest inhibitory effects of leaf extracts were observed in T. repens, E. sativa and A. sativum (except 25%), while a maximum deleterious effects were recorded at higher concentration. The seed germination of B. campestris, C. sativus, C. sativum, and S. lycopersicum was less inhibited at 50% and 75%, while an this concentration, a stimulatory effect was recorded in T. aestivum. It was concluded that P. hysterophorus aqueous leaf extract had allelopathic effects on seed germination and seedling growth of the tested crops.