We investigated the effects of leaf biomass of Parthenium hysterophorus L., Cassia obtusifolia L. and Achyranthes aspera L., weeds on seed germination and seedling growth of wheat and pea and changes in the soil organic carbon. Soils were amended with leaf biomass (1, 2 and 5 g/Kg soil) of these weeds and the mixtures of leaf biomass of P. hysterophorus (5 g/Kg soil) with C. obtusifolia or A. aspera (5 g/Kg soil). The leaf biomass of weeds significantly improved the soil organic C pool and influenced the crop growth. However, their impact was crop specific and depended on doses and quality of leaf biomass (weed type). The mixtures of P. hysterophorus had variable effects (additive, antagonistic and synergistic) on the crop growth, thus, weed biomass may have potential in weed management.
Achyranthes aspera L., Cassia obtusifolia L., Crop growth, leafbiomass, Parthenium hysterophorus L., pea (Pisum sativum L.), seed germination, weed, wheat (Triticum aestivum L.
