Effect of Root, Stem, Inflorescence Extracts and Root Exudation of Lepidium Pinnatifidum Ledeb. on Triticum Aestivum L. and Zea Mays L. and Few Biological Applications of Its Root Exudates

Plants have the ability to affect the physiology of other plants through allelopathic interactions. The purpose of the present work is to evaluate the allelopathic potential of root, shoot, inflorescence extracts and root exudates of Lepidium pinnatifidum Ledeb. on some selected agronomic plants, Triticum aestivum L. and Zea mays L. And also, to find out few biological applications of its root exudates. The study revealed that Lepidium pinnatifidum Ledeb. is highly toxic to the seed germination, root and shoot length, fresh and dry weight and metabolite concentration of Triticum aestivum L. and Zea mays L. Root, stem and inflorescence extracts of the plant under study showed a complete inhibition of seed germination of wheat and maize. The effect of root exudates on wheat and maize was also inhibitory but less intense as compared to the plant extract. The root exudates of Lepidium pinnatifidum Ledeb. also showed insecticidal, phytotoxic, antioxdant activities successfully. Thus, it can be concluded that Lepidium pinnatifidum Ledeb. has a strong inhibitory effect on crop plants and also its high toxicity of root exudates suggests the presence of a variety of allelochemicals, thus can be used for medicinal purpose as well. Similarly, the plant can be used as herbicide, insecticide and as an antioxidant.