Influence of Aqueous Leaf Extracts of Eucalyptus tereticornis Sm. On the Expression of Germination and Growth of Agricultural Seeds
Mhaiskar Priya Rajendra
Department of Forest Ecology and Climate Science, Forest College and Research Institute, Mulugu, Siddipet, Telangana, India.
Milkuri Chiranjeeva Reddy *
Department of Silviculture and Agroforestry, Forest College and Research Institute, Mulugu, Siddipet, Telangana, India.
Varun C Podishetti
Department of Silviculture and Agroforestry, Forest College and Research Institute, Mulugu, Siddipet, Telangana, India.
Bheemreddyvalla Venkateshwar Reddy
Department of Silviculture and Agroforestry, Forest College and Research Institute, Mulugu, Siddipet, Telangana, India.
Yerrawada Naveen
Department of Silviculture and Agroforestry, Forest College and Research Institute, Mulugu, Siddipet, Telangana, India.
D. Ravivarma
Department of Silviculture and Agroforestry, Forest College and Research Institute, Mulugu, Siddipet, Telangana, India.
Bestha Ashwitha
Department of Silviculture and Agroforestry, Forest College and Research Institute, Mulugu, Siddipet, Telangana, India.
Swamynath Shakati
Department of Silviculture and Agroforestry, Forest College and Research Institute, Mulugu, Siddipet, Telangana, India.
Tumma Bargavi
Department of Silviculture and Agroforestry, Forest College and Research Institute, Mulugu, Siddipet, Telangana, India.
*Author to whom correspondence should be addressed.
Abstract
Aim: This laboratory experiment was conducted to test the effect of allelopathy by Eucalyptus tereticornis aqueous leaf extracts on the germination and growth of Agricultural seeds i.e., Arachis hypogaea, Cicer arietinum, Vigna radiata and Zea mays as to test for suitable agroforestry system.
Study Design: The experiment was conducted in a completely randomized block design.
Place and Duration of the Study: The experiment was conducted in the laboratory of Agroforestry and Soil Science, Department of Silviculture and Agroforestry, Forest College and Research Institute, Mulugu, Siddipet, Telangana, India.
Methodology: The aqueous leaf extracts of varied concentration [0 (Distilled water), 25, 50, 75 and 100% (m/v) %] prepared were tested against germination percent, relative germination percent, growth and relative allelopathic effect on the aforesaid agricultural seeds.
Results: The bioassay revealed that there was significant turndown in parameters tested. Control being the one relatively high performing, with increase in the concentrations of aqueous leaf extracts the germination rate, root length, shoot length, and dry weights reduced in all the other crops treatments tested.
Conclusion: The experiment attributes that leaching of allelochemicals from the leaves into the assay caused inhibitory effect on the seed germination and growth.
Keywords: Allelopathy, Eucalyptus tereticornis, Arachis hypogaea, Cicer arietinum, Vigna radiata, Zea mays, agroforestry, aqueous extracts