PJB-2019-338
ALLELOPATHIC EFFECTS OF ACACIA MODESTA L.
Dr. Farrukh Hussain
Abstract
Acacia modesta L. is a medium size medicinal deciduous tree growing from plains up to 1000m in Pakistan. It is one of the characteristic species of Olea-Acacia forest (Subtropical semi- evergreen forest) in the subtropical zone in Pakistan. The observed presence of poor plant association and understory beneath its canopy was the basis of the present work on its allelopathy. The aqueous extracts were tested for its allelopathic effects against Pennisetum glaucum (Linn) R.Br., Setaria italica (Linn) P. Beauv, Brassica campestris Linn and Allium cepa Linn. The results indicated that aqueous extracts from different parts invariably inhibited germination, seedling growth, fresh and dry biomass and moisture contents of various tested species. Added litter and mulch also significantly reduced germination and seedling growth of test species; but did not affect fresh and dry weight. Furthermore, the leaf extracts significantly retarded mitotic cell division and development of root tip cells. Concentrated extracts had stronger inhibitory effects. Ferrulic acid, vanillic acid, caffeic acid, p-coumaric acid, cinnamic acid, benzoic acid and syringic acid were identified as the possible inhibitors in leaf and stem-bark extracts. The study concluded that Acacia modesta has strong allelopathic activity at least against the tested crop species. The general tendency of inhibition was radicle growth > germination > plumule. There was no consistency in the reduction/stimulation of fresh weight and moisture contents of test species. Generally, leaf extracts were inhibitorer than stem-bark. It is suggested that Acacia modesta L can be tested against weeds and microorganisms in search of bioherbicides and antimicrobial agent.
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