Allelopathic Potential of Compounds in Selected Crops (original) (raw)

2021, Journal of Agricultural Science

Allelochemicals cause yield differences under various ecosystems worldwide. Studies were conducted at the National Crops Resources Research Institute, Namulonge, Uganda during 2016 to investigate allelopathic properties of bioactive compounds in upland rice (NERICA 1), Desmodium uncinatum, Zea mays (LONGE 6H) and Mucuna pruriens root leachates. Studies involved pot screening, equal compartment agar experiments, germination tests and growth of potted plants. Results under the pot study indicated that maize, rice and mucuna leachates significantly (P ≤ 0.05), reduced root lengths (49%-63%), plant heights (48%-66%) and biomass (63%-75%) for Ageratum conyzoides, Bidens pilosa and Gallinsoga. parviflora weeds. G. parviflora root growth was reduced (20%-41%) and stem growth declined (19%-42%) when maize, rice and mucuna leachates were applied in the equal compartment agar study. Increased leachate concentrations (25%-75%) significantly (P ≤ 0.05), increased the mean germination time (0.4-...