Influence of aqueous leaf extract of ber on germination and seedling growth of cowpea and fenugreek.

摘要

The present study is an effort to assess the interaction effects of perennial component ber (Ziziphus mauritiana) on two important annual field crops i.e. cowpea (Vigna unguiculata) and fenugreek (Trigonella foenum-graecum) of the hot arid ecosystem of western Rajasthan. The laboratory bioassay studies revealed that the aqueous leaf extracts of ber reduced the germination of both the crops but effect was more pronounced in case of fenugreek. In almost all the vigour parameters and phytomass production, the inhibitory effect was higher in fenugreek than in cowpea, except in the number of roots per plant, indicating the sensitivity of fenugreek to allelochemicals present in the aqueous extracts of ber leaves.