The Biobrio 11(3 & 4), 2024

Allelopathic effect of Cymbopogon citratus aqueous leaves extract on the morphology and physiology of plants

Alika Najafi, Ankita Kumari, Sneha Kumari & Saumya Srivastava

ABSTRACT:

The allelopathic potential of Cymbopogon citratus on the morphology and physiology of plants was investigated under laboratory conditions. Seeds of a dicot plant (Cicer arietinum), a monocot plant (Zea mays) and a weed (Amaranthus retroflexus) were treated with aqueous leaves extract of Cymbopogon citratus at different concentrations (25%, 50% and 100%, distilled water being used as control). Results recorded showed complete inhibition of germination of Amaranthus retroflexus seeds at all concentrations while the percentage of germination of Cicer arietinum decreased with the increasing concentration of Cymbopogon citratus aqueous leaf extract. Zea mays showed the least effect of Cymbopogon citratus leaf extract and sustained their germination and growth. Analysis of the morphological and physiological responses of the experimental data obtained revealed that the aqueous extract of the leaves of Cymbopogon citratus has a great negative allelopathic potential with respect to all three plants.

Keywords:    

Allelopathy, Germination, Allelochemicals, Biocontrol, Weeds

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