INHIBITORY EFFECT OF CRESSA CRATICA EXTRACT ON SEED GERMINATION AND SEEDLING VIGOUR OF MAJOR FIELD CROPS

Aqueous extract of aerial parts of Cressa cratica was assayed at different concentrations (dry weight basis) for its effects on seed germination and early seedling growth of Oryza sativa , Triticum eastivum and Vigna mungo . Germination percent and seedling growth declined with an increase in concentration of the extract. The highest concentration assayed (100 g L -1 ) resulted in 80.0 % decrease in seed germination, 88.9 % in root length and 90.0 % decrease in shoot length in O. sativa. In T. aestivum , decrease in seed germination, root and shoot length was 80.0, 90.0 and 88.2 percent, respectively. whereas in V. mungo , these were recorded as 70.0, 77.5 and 80.0 %, respectively. The results of the study suggest that the aqueous extract of C. cratica contained water-soluble compounds that were highly phytotoxic in nature. Detailed phyto-chemical analysis of the extract identified as saponins.