ALLELOPATHIC EFFECTS, YIELDS AND QUALITATIVE PHYTOCHEMICAL SCREENING OF ROOT EXUDATES OF FIVE WEED SPECIES

Abstract

This research investigated the allelopathic effects, the yields and qualitative phytochemical screening of the water extract of root exudates of five weed species i.e. Cyperus rotundus L. (T1), Marselia quadrifolia L. (T2), Ludwigia hyssopifolia (G. Don) Exell, (T3) Pistia stratiotes L. (T4) and Colocasia esculenta L. (T5). The allelopathic tests of root exudates on five weed species showed that all the extracts had the pronounced inhibitory effect on cowpea and mungbean (tested crops). The yields of root exudates of the selected weed species varied. Root exudate of T3 showed the highest yield whereby T1 contained the lowest one. A preliminary phytochemical test showed the positive result of alkaloids, flavonoids, phenols and carbohydrates whereas proteins, amino acids, tannins, saponins, have been found to be absent in the root exudates of tested weeds. The results evidenced that these mentioned weeds contain compounds in their root exudates which may cause allelopathic effects on both tested crops.