Allelopathic Effects of Leaf Extracts of Kalmegh on Seed Germination and Seedling Growth of Wheat (Triticum aestivum L.)

Andrographis paniculata Nees is traditionally known as Kalmegh, Allelopathic effect of Kalmegh was examined on seed germination and seedling growth of four (Sonalika, VL-914, Euguanda-6 and Mond’s Aids) wheat genotype, the aqueous leaf extracts reduced seed germination and seedling growth of wheat. On the basis of value of per cent reduction in seed germination, germination relative index and vigour index, the inhibitory effect of different leaf extracts was maximum in susceptible genotypes (Euguanda-6 and Mond’s Aids) followed by tolerant genotypes (sonalika and VL 914). The root and shoot length, root and shoot fresh weight and root and shoot dry weight declined with increase in the concentration of the leaf extracts of Kalmegh, leaf extracts of Kalmegh showed inhibitory effect of reducing sugar, non-reducing sugar, total sugar and soluble protein and stimulatory effect on total free amino acids contents of wheat seedlings. The results indicated that the allelopathic effect of aqueous leaf extracts of Andographis paniculata was maximum in terms of all physiological and biochemical parameters. Received date: 24/05/2016 Accepted date: 08/09/2016 Published date: 13/09/2016 *For Correspondence Mandal MP, Department of Botany and Plant Physiology, Faculty of Basic Sciences and Humanities, Rajendra Agricultural University Pusa, Samastipur, Bihar, India, Tel: 06274240 226. E-mail: [email protected]