Allelopathic effect of Albizia saman F. Muell on three widely cultivated Indian crop species

Abstract

A study with completely randomized design in factorial arrangement and under in vitro conditions was conducted to assess the allelopathic effect of Albizia saman F.Muell leaf leachate on three popular crop species, namely Amaranthus viridis L.(vegetable crop), Brassica campestris L. var dichotoma Wall. (oil crop) and Oryza sativa L.cv.Pankaj (cereal crop). Different concentrations (0, 1, 2 and 4%) of leaf leachate were applied to seeds of all test plants to investigate their effect on germination and seedling growth. Result showed that rice (O. sativa) is least sensitive both in terms of germination and of seedling growth to the leaf leachate. The mustard plant (B. campestris) was found to be affected highly in the presence of leaf leachate. Germination percentage was gradually decreased over the control with increasing concentration of leaf leachate. In 4% leaf leachate application, the germination was inhibited about 91% over the control. A. viridis was proved as moderately sensitive to the leaf leachate. Gradual decrease in root length of A. viridis was observed with increasing concentration of leachate. Hypocotyl length of A. viridis at 2% and 4% was found to be stimulated than the hypocotyl length at 1%. The study revealed that the plant S. saman has inhibitory effect on B. campestris and A. viridis, whereas rice plant is resistant to the effect of leaf leachate.