Allelopathic Effect of Aqueous Leaves Extract of Some Plants on Seed Germination of Parthenium hysterophorus L.

The weed Parthenium hysterophorus is an invasive, ubiquitous and significantly threatens agricultural productivity and biodiversity. This study explored the potential of allelopathy for its impact by investigating the effects of aqueous extracts from 31 plant species on seed germination of parthenium. The study revealed that all the 31 plant species adversely affected the germination of Parthenium seed. Leaf extract of Azadirachta indica, Cassia tora, Mentha arvensis, and Xanthium strumarium caused 100% inhibition of seed germination within7 days and did not allow further seed germination. Inhibitory effect of some plant species were persistent on germination of parthenium seed upto 15 days. Minimum inhibition in seed germination was recorded in extract of Achyranthes aspera i.e. 24.13%.