ISSN 2348-313X (Print) International Journal of Life Sciences Research ISSN 2348-3148 (online) Vol. 8, Issue 4, pp: (10-13), Month: October - December 2020, Available at: www.researchpublish.com
Allelopathic effects of Mikania micrantha on agricultural crops in Mizoram, North-East India *J.C. Angel Lalrindiki1, Dr. F. lalnunmawia2 1,2
Department of Botany
Mizoram University, Tanhril 796004 Mizoram, India
Abstract: The allelopathic effects of Mikania micrantha was studied on two agricultural crops Oryza sativa and Zea mays. Aqueous leaf extracts of Mikania micrantha were made to determine their effects on the seed germination as well as seedling growth on a week old Oryza sativa and Zea mays over a range of extract concentrations. Aqueous leaf extracts of Mikania micrantha shows gradual decline in seed germination and seedling growth on both the crops. The seed germination and seedling growth of Oryza sativa was suppressed more as compared to Zea mays. The study also revealed that the effects of the selected weed on the germination% as well as seedling growth of Oryza sativa and Zea mays are found to be statistically significant (p≤0.05). Keywords: Mikania micrantha, weeds, allelopathy, ANOVA, Mizoram.
I.
INTRODUCTION
Mikania micrantha Kunth is a fast growing, perennial, creeping climber. They belong to the family Asteraceae. They are also known as bitter vine. They are invasive weeds that grow out of place. Since both weeds and crops are plants, they have basically the same requirements for normal growth and development. They require and compete for an adequate supply of the same nutrients, moisture, light, heat, temperature, carbon dioxide and growing space. Allelopathy is an interference mechanism, in which live or dead plant materials release chemical substances, which inhibit or stimulate the associated plant growth [1]. The plant may exhibit inhibitory or rarely stimulatory effects on germination and growth of other plants in the immediate vicinity. Competition and the presence of vegetative and reproductive parts of weeds at or near to harvest have the greatest adverse affect on crop quality [2]. Since, the presence of weed is a nuisance for agricultural crops as they compete for nutrition as well as growing space, thus, understanding the weed’s allelopathic effect is essential for weed management as well as for developing crop management models. Thus, it is essential to study allelopathic effects of weeds on crop production with reference to Mizoram, North-East India. Mizoram lies between 23°37’01’’ N latitude and 93°18’00’’ E Longitude. It is situated in the North-east region of India between the border of Myanmar and Bangladesh, covering the area of about 21087 km² with more than 90% of evergreen vegetation forest. Majority of the population still depend on agriculture for their livelihood. The purpose of this study was to determine the possible allelopathic effects of Mikania micrantha on seed germination and seedling growth of two agricultural crops Oryza sativa and Zea mays.
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