ALLELOPATHIC EFFECT OF SIAM WEED DEBRIS ON SEED GERMINATION AND SEEDLING GROWTH OF THREE TEST CROP SPECIES

Allelopathy is important for agricultural practices as has gained attention in sustainable agriculture management. Therefore, an experiment was conducted to assess the allelopathic effect of siam weed (Chromolaena odorata L. King and Robinson) debris on the germination and seedling growth of rice, mustard and groundnut at four concentrations of weed debris (e.g., 0, 0.25, 0.5 and 1.0 g dry weight per 100 g soil). The weed debris at different concentrations reduced the seed germination, plant height, leaf numbers, leaf area and seedling dry weight of the test crop species. The inhibitory effects of the test crop were positively related to the concentration of siam weed debris in soil. On the basis of average percent inhibition (API), mustard (24.47%) was mostly affected by the siam weed debris followed by groundnut (20.10%) and rice (17.10%). From the results of the study, it is observed that weed debris of siam weed had inhibitory effect on the seed germination and seedling growth of rice, mustard and groundnut. Therefore, the allelopathic activity of the siam weed may play an important role in the management of sustainable agriculture.