All India Co-ordinated Research Project on Agroforestry, Konkan Krishi Vidyapeeth, Dapoli-415712
Leaf leachates were collected by soaking 200 g dried ground leaves of Australian babul (Acacia auriculiformis A. Cunn.) in tap water for 4, 8, 12, 16, 20 and 24 hrs. The filtrates obtained were used for germination of rice (var. Palghar-1) and cowpea (rar. VCM-8) seeds. Germination, growth and dry matter accumulation of plumule and radicle of both the field crops were progressively decreased with an increase in the leaf soaking period. The length and dry matter accumulation in rice radicle were severely affected by leaf leachates than cowpea radicle. The leaf leachates at lower concentrations showed a desperate response in rice and cowpea.
