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Abstract

Generally, the plants have effects on the other plants growing in their vicinity. The plants may have both positive and negative effects on each other. The purposes of the current study were to assess the allelopathic capability of Callistemon lanceolatus against the two cultivars of Triticum aestivum, under laboratory condition. Allelopathic potential of the plant was determined using aqueous extracts of various parts of the plant. Aqueous extract of leaves and bark were acquired by independently soaking 5gm and 10gm powder in 100 ml distilled water for 24, 48 and 72 hours. The results revealed that allelopathic potential of the plant was both dose and soaking duration dependent. Generally, extract of higher concentration i.e. 10gm/100 ml soaked for higher duration (72 hours) were more inhibitory than lower concentrations (5gm/100 and shorter soaking duration 24 and 48 hours). Hot water extracts, Litter and mulches of the plant also significantly repressed seed germination and the general development of both the test crops. Seminal roots numbers were also suppressed by all the treatments used in the study. It was concluded that the plant has strong allelopathic potential. Further investigation is required to isolate the chemicals that triggered inhibition which may provide base to for the development of novel synthetic pesticides. The study further suggests that cultivation of the plant should be avoided in the vicinity of the crop fields.
Keywords: Allelopathy; Aqueous extract; Callistemon lanceolatus; Phytotoxicity; Triticum
http://dx.doi.org/10.19045/bspab.2018.70097