Allelopathic effect of tulsi (Ocimum tenuiflorum L.) on germination and seedling growth of rice, cowpea and upland weeds
Abstract
Experiments were conducted in the Department of Agronomy, College Agriculture, Vellanikkara to study the allelopathic effects of tulsi (Ocimum tenuiflorum L.), on seed germination and seedling growth of rice and cowpea (test crops) and upland weeds. The treatments comprised of aqueous and hot water extracts of shoots and roots of tulsiat 5 g/100 ml and 10 g/100 ml,dry powder of shoots and roots at 10 g/kg soil and 20 g/kg soil and control (distilled water). Tulsi extracts and powders of different parts at all concentrations exhibited phytotoxic activity against test crops and upland weeds. Cowpea was more sensitive than rice. Among weeds, broad leaved weeds showed more inhibition than grass weeds. Treatments which involved dry powder of tulsi (shoots or root) at higher concentration (20 g/kg soil) showed the highest allelopathic activity and can be utilized for the non-selectivecontrol of upland weeds.The present study concluded that tulsiis rich in allelochemicals and exerts allelopathic activity on crops and upland weeds, thus the plant could be considered as an important candidate for the development of plant based natural herbicides in the future.Downloads
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