2018 Vol.24 No.1 PP 97-105

ALLELOPATHIC EFFECT OF EUCALYPTUS TERETICORNIS CLONES ON GERMINATION AND GROWTH OF ZEA MAYS

V. D. TRIPATHI

College of Forestry,
DAPOLI- 415 712. RATNAGIRI (MAHARASHTRA) INDIA
(Dr. Balasasheb Sawant Konkan Krishi Vidyapeeth)
*Corresponding Author :
E-mail: deepakvishva2003@gmail.com

ABSTRACT

This study aimed to evaluate the allelopathic effect of various concentrations of an aqueous extract of Eucalyptus tereticornis clones (C3, C6, C7 and C10) plant parts viz., leaves, twigs and roots on Zea mays (maize) seeds. Different plant part extracts of E. tereticornis clones were used to run the experiment under laboratory condition. The aqueous extracts of leaf showed significant inhibitory effect on germination, root and shoot elongation of Zea mays. The inhibitory effect was proportional to the concentrations of the extracts and the higher concentration (15%) had the strongest inhibitory effect. In plant part leaf extract had more inhibitory effect compared to twig and root extract. From the obtained results, it can be concluded that, Eucalyptus seems to be a potential threat to the cereals industry under small-scale farming condition. Therefore, it could be recommended that different remedial practices (like removal of excess leaf litters) should be done before sowing maize, in land previously planted with Eucalyptus in order to reduce the potential risks.

Key words : Allelopathy, Clone, Eucalyptus tereticornis, Germination, Zea mays.