Studies on allelopathic effects of Parthenium hysterophorus on some crop species

A laboratory experiment was conducted to study the effect of parthenium (Parthenium hysterophorus) leaf and stem aqueous extracts on radical and plumule length of diverse crop species (Sorghum, Bajra, Sunflower and Soybean). All parthenium extracts significantly reduced radical and plumule length. Leaf extracts were more effective in reducing seedling characteristics than stem extracts. Increasing concentration of extracts showed significant decrease in radical and plumule length. Cold extracts resulted in more detrimental effect on length of radical and plumule. Among the species, bajra was less susceptible to parthenium extracts.