Allelopathic effects of Ageratum conyzoides leaf aqueous extract on the seed germination along with seedling growth of Phaseolus vulgaris and Cicer arietinum

The agricultural productivity degradation due to toxic weed is one of the various causes of economic losses in developing countries. Ageratum conyzoides L. is major crop weed that is a threat to native flora as it competes with crops for the same resources. The current study was undertaken to investigate the allelopathic action of A. conyzoides on germination and seedling growth of Phaseolus vulgaris L. and Cicer arietinum L. Aqueous extracts of weed at various concentration (control, 10%, 20%, 30%, 50%) were obtained to assess their impacts on test crops. In this experiment, the maximum reduction in seed germination was 37% and 50% for P. vulgaris and C. arietinum respectively. The higher reduction in plumule length (3 cm) and radicle length (2 cm) of P. vulgaris and plumule length (3 cm) and radicle length (2 cm) of C. arietinum was observed at 50% concentration of weed extracts. The phytotoxicity of the A. conyzoides for both crops were increased with elevated concentration and decreased at the low concentration of weed extract. Therefore, the present results revealed that the weed phytotoxicity was concentrations depended. An appropriate weed control strategy is essential to mitigate weed impacts on crops.