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Plant Science Today (PST)

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Allelopathic potential of Alternanthera philoxeroides (Mart.) Griseb. on germination of black gram (Vigna mungo L.) and weed seeds

DOI
https://doi.org/10.14719/pst.14680
Submitted
24 March 2026
Published
22-10-2026

Abstract

The present study was conducted at the University of Agricultural Sciences, Gandhi Krishi Vigyan Kendra (GKVK), Bengaluru in the year 2024 to evaluate the allelopathic efficacy of aqueous extracts of Alternanthera philoxeroides (Mart.) Griseb., at varying concentrations (120 and 160 g L-1) on black gram and selected weed species. Optimised in vitro germination bioassays were conducted to assess their effects on seed germination, seedling growth and vigour. The results revealed a significant reduction in germination percentage, seedling length and seedling vigour index (SVI) of black gram and weed seeds following application of the aqueous extracts. The strongest inhibitory effect on germination of black gram and Borreria hispida (L.) K.Schum. was recorded with leaf extract at 160 g L-1, whereas germination of Echinochloa colona (L.) Link was most severely affected by whole-plant extract at 120 g L-1. Furthermore, root and shoot growth of B. hispida showed greater sensitivity to the extracts (0.09 and 0.16 cm, respectively) compared to E. colona (2.21 and 0.75 cm, respectively). The order of extract effectiveness in reducing SVI was leaf (0) > whole plant (0) > stem (2.01) > root (47.85) for B. hispida and whole plant (47.01) > leaf (60.99) > stem (64.80) > root (167) for E. colona. Gas chromatography-mass spectrometry (GC-MS) analysis of the extracts identified numerous allelopathic compounds with whole plant extract containing more phytoconstituents than other plant parts. These findings demonstrate the allelopathic potential of different plant-part extracts of A. philoxeroides and highlight their potential application as a bio-based tool for sustainable weed management.

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