Allelopathic effect of Calotropis procera (L) leaves extract on seed germination and early growth of Arachis hypogeae (L) and Pennisetum glaucum (L)

Abstract

The effect of aqueous leaves extract of Clotropis procera at 20%, 40% and 80% on seeds germination and early growth of Groundnut (Arachis hypogeae) and Millet (Pennisetum glaucum) was investigated. The results showed that the extract both at lower and higher concentration did not affect the seeds germination of the two plants species. Final germination percentage after ten days was increased by increasing the extract concentration especially on Millet where 100% and 95% germination was observed at 20% and 80% concentration of the extract respectively. Generally, the radicle and plumule growth was sensitive to different levels of the extract where the plumule length was decreased by increasing the extract concentration and some leaves began to die at higher concentration (80%) in Groundnut (Arachis hypogeae). However, plumule emergence and growth was stimulated in both lower (20%) and higher (80%) concentration in Millet (Pennisetum glaucum) seedlings more than control treatment. Therefore the seedlings of Groundnut were more affected by the aqueous extract of Clotropis procera than that of Millet. The implications of these findings are hereby discussed.