1 Faculty of Agriculture, Ghazi University, Dera Ghazi Khan, Pakistan
2Agricultural Training Institute, Karor, Layyah, Pakistan
3Institute of Agricultural Sciences, Punjab University, Lahore, Pakistan
ABSTRACT
Allelopathy refers to the beneficial or harmful effects of one plant on another plant through the release of secondary metabolites from plant parts in both natural and agricultural systems. Moringa leaf extract (MLE) is generally considered to have enhancing or suppressing effect on the plant growth in a dose dependent manner. Therefore, the current study was planned to evaluate the effects of MLE on the growth of purple nutsedge (Cyperus rotundus). MLE was added into pots three days after transplanting with 25, 50, 75 and 100% concentrations (v/v) whereas distilled water was used as control. Application of MLE at 100% concentration notably improved the root and shoots lengths, shoot fresh and dry weights. MLE application had non-significant effect on root fresh and dry weights, number of nodes and node weights of purple nutsedge. It was concluded that MLE improved the growth of purple nutsedge even higher concentrations rather to suppress it.
