Effect of Citrus limon (L.) Osbeck Leaf extract on Seed germination and Seedling growth of Sorghum bicolour (L.) Moench.

North Karnataka is known for the horticultural crops like grapes, lemon, pomegranate etc. and also popular for the cultivation of cereals and pulses. These horticultural crops have allelophathic effects on seed germination and seedling growth of various crop plants. In the present study, the aqueous leaves extract of Citrus limon was used to test the efficacy of seed germination and seedling growth of prime cereal crop of north Karnataka Sorghum bicolor. 20%, 40%, 80% and 100% of aqueous leaf extract of citrus limon was treated to cereal crop. Treated seeds were incubated at blotter for seed germination and seedling growth. The study revealed that, the aqueous leaf extract has significant effect on seed germination and plant growth. In all concentrations inhibitory effect was observed on seed germination. The maximum inhibitory effect was observed in both the crops at 100% concentration. The Inhibitory effect was much pronounced in root development in all concentrations as compared to the seed germination. Shoot and root growth is inversely proportional to the concentrations of leaf extract.