INFLUENCE OF COMBINATIONS OF ALLELOPATHIC WATER EXTRACTS OF DIFFERENT PLANTS ON WHEAT AND WILD OAT

Allelopathy is pragmatic approach for sustainable weed management in agro-ecosystems. A laboratory bioassay experiment was conducted to evaluate the allelopathic potential of combinations of water extracts of six plants against wheat (Triticum aestivum L.) and wild oat (Avena fatua L.). In case of Avena fatua L., Cuscuta reflexa (T3) and C. reflexa+ Parthenium hysterophorus (T18) extracts totally inhibited the germination whereas Salvia moocraftiana (T2) extract completely inhibited the plumule growth. The rest of the treatments significantly reduced the plumule length of it. All treatments significantly decreased the radical length of Avena fatua L. except Euphorbia helioscopia (T1) extract. A gradual reduction in fresh and dry weight was observed. In case of Triticum aestivum L., E. helioscopia+ S. moocraftiana (T8), E. helioscopia+ P. hysterophorus (T11) and S. moocraftiana+ P. hysterophorus (T15) extracts had no effect on germination. But all the treatments significantly reduced the plumule and radical length of Wheat. S. moocraftiana (T2) extract increased while C. papaya (T4), C. reflexa+ R. dentatus (T17) and C. papaya+ R. dentatus (T19) extracts decreased the fresh weight of Triticum aestivum L. It is concluded that different combinations of plant extracts can be used as bioherbicide against Avena fatua L. without damaging Triticum aestivum L. Further investigation is proposed to optimize the suitable concentrations of plant extracts in such combinations.