Allelopathic potential of Butea monosperma L.: Effect of aqueous leaf extract on seed germination and seedling growth of winter season (rabi) crops

Abstract

The Butea monosperma (Lam.) has acquired the status of a wonder tree as it offers many livelihood options (gum, lac, fibre, dona pattal etc.) to rural small holders and forest dwellers besides being a bucket of medicinal uses. In recent days the natural stands of Butea trees found in and around arable fields are not only protected and preserved but, new plantations are also encouraged in unutilized marginal land and on field boundaries of arable land. Thus, Butea has become an important agroforestry tree species and the obvious question to be answered is whether B. monosperma has an allolopathic effect on the germination and growth of crops grown along with it? Therefore, in present study, an attempt has been made to investigate the potential allelopathic effects of different concentrations (0, 5, 10 and 15%) of the aqueous leaf extract of Butea monosperma L. on seed germination and seedling growth of some winter season (rabi) crops viz. wheat (Triticum aestivum L.), mustard (Brassica nigra L.), lentil (Lens culinaris Medik) and Chickpea (Cicer arietinum L.). The findings revealed that the aqueous leaf extract of Butea monosperma had inhibitory effects on seed germination and seedling growth parameters. Application of aqueous leaf extract has significantly reduced per cent seed germination, seedling growth and total dry weight of 15 days old seedlings. The inhibitory effect increased with increase in concentrations of extracts from 0 to 15%. Maximum inhibitory effect was indicated by 15% aqueous leaf extract. Among the test crops, the inhibitory allelopathic influence was more pronounced on mustard followed by chickpea, lentil and wheat.