PHYTOCHEMICAL CONSTITUENTS OF WEEDS: BASELINE STUDY IN MIXED CROP ZONE AGROECOSYSTEM

The qualitative phytochemical analysis is significantly important to identify the chemical compounds present in the medicinal plants. The root, stem and leaves of seventeen weed species viz., Chenopodium murale, Convolvulus arvensis, Rumex dentatus, Parthenium hysterophorus, Euphorbia helioscopia, Coronopus didymus, Brassica compastris, Solanum nigrum, Sonchus oleraceus, Poa annua, Ricinus communis, Anthem graveolens, Cynodon dactylon, Melilotus indicus and Malvastrum coromandelianum collected from peripheral cultivation belt of Faisalabad district were analyzed for their phytochemical constituents. The results revealed the presence of phytochemicals viz., alkaloids, saponins, tannins, steroids, phlobatannin, terpenoids, flavinoids and cardiac glycosides in different parts of weeds. The root and stem of these weed species were found rich in phytochemicals, which are used to manufacture medicines and drugs for various ailments.