Allelopathic effects of aqueous extracts of Euphorbia thiamifolia L. on germination and seedling growth of Cajanus cajan L

KUMBHAR B. A. AND DABGAR Y. B. Dept. of Biotechnology, Sheth M.N. Science College, Patan (Gujarat) India R.R. Mehta College of Science and C.L. Parikh College of Commerce, Palanpur (Gujarat) India Abstract This study investigated the allelopathic effects of various weed (Euphorbia thiamifolia L.) plant parts on pigeon pea germination and seedling growth. Aqueous extracts of Euphorbia thiamifolia L. leaf, stem, root and inflorescence plant part were made to determine their effects on germination and dry weights of shoot and root length of 5 day old Cajanus cajan L. over a range of extract concentrations. All aqueous extracts significantly inhibited pigeon pea seed germination and seedling growth when compared with distilled water control. Increasing the aqueous concentration of separated Euphorbia thiamifolia L. plant parts significantly inhibited pigeon pea germination, seedling length and weight. Aqueous extract of the stem was found to have the most inhibitory effect, followed by those of the leaf, inflorescence and root after 5 days.