Influence of Aqueous Leaf Extracts of Eucalyptus tereticornis Sm. On the Expression of Germination and Growth of Agricultural Seeds

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.