Allelopathic Aspects of Lantana camara on Germination And Seedling Growth of Lens esculanta

The allelopathic effect of Lantana camara weed on the growth of Lens esculanta (masur) commonly known as lentil has been studied. Toxicity and inhibitory effects of weed on germination and growth of lentil were observed. Effects of aqueous extracts from stem, leaf and roots of L. camara were observed on germination and seedling growth of L. esculanta in different concentrations in vitro and different soil samples in vivo. The result showed that the soil taken from the nearby lantana fields inhibited seed germination and seedling growth upto 70% in vivo condition. Under in vitro conditions, different concentrations showed variations in root, shoot elongation and seed germination percentage. The leaf extract showed maximum inhibition of seedling vigour upto 80%.