ALLELOPATHIC EFFECT OF AGERATUM CONYZOIDES L. ON SEED GERMINATION AND GROWTH OF PEA VARIETIES

Abstract

An experiment was carried out to assess the allelopathic effect of leaf extract of Ageratum conyzoides on germination and seedling growth in Arpan and Sapna varieties of Pisum sativum at various concentrations viz. 10, 20, 30 and 40% in the laboratory. The results revealed that all the germination and seedling growth attributes to both varieties of pea were significantly inhibited by the influence of water extract at various concentrations as compared to control. Lowest germination percentage, germination index, root and shoot length, seedling dry weight and seedling vigour index in pea varieties was observed by the effect of water extract of Ageratum conyzoides at 10% concentration. The seed germination, plumule and radicle length were reduced with increasing concentration of aqueous solution. The study concluded that increasing concentration of leaf extract of Ageratum conyzoides has adverse effects on germination, shoot length, and root length and biomass production of Pisum sativum than the control.