Allelopathic Effects of Imperata Cylindrica Aqueous Extract on the Germination of Cucumis Sativus and Lolium Perenne

Abstract

In this study, the allelopathic effect of Imperata cylindrica has been investigated. Aqueous extracts of Imperata cylindrica were tested at concentrations of 31.25, 62.5, and 125 mg/ml to study different parameters on Cucumis sativus and Lolium perenne. Various factors were studied to determine the inhibition and growth of root and shoot length, percentage germination, and fresh and dry weight. Results indicated that the aqeous extract of Imperata cylindrica contain allelochemicals which may contribute to its invasiveness and extreme competitiveness. The results of this study show that Imperata cylindrica contains allelochemical compounds particularly in root and shoot extracts that might be the potential candidates for future investigations for the development of herbicides based on its secondary metabolites and their allelopathic inhibitory effects. Further research is needed to investigate the allelopathic effect of Imperata cylindrical aqueous extracts under field conditions against the associated weed species and elucidation of the mechanism of inhibition involved