Allelophatic effects of selected exotic tree species on germination and root length of Maize and Wheat in North Eastern Amhara, Ethiopia

Abstract

Andualem Ayalew and Zebene Asfaw

Background: The selected tree species Gravellia robusta, Eucalyptus camaldulensis and Casuarina equisetifolia are the wide spread exotic species in Eastern Amhara. Allelopathy have either stimulatory or inhibitory effect on the germination percent and the radicle length of the crop, by the release of chemicals from plant parts in both natural and agricultural systems.

Objective: This study was conducted to identify inhibitory or stimulatory effect using bark and leaf leachates of selected exotic species on the germination and radicle length of test crops.

Methods: The experiment was conducted in sirinka agricultural research center under the laboratory. Aqueous bark and leaf extracts were prepared by soaking 25gm powder for each selected species in 500ml distilled water for 48 hrs. and used the extract for the study. The effect of the leachates was tested by placing 100 seeds of maize and wheat separately in three replicate using complete randomized design (CRD). The data were using SAS software version 9.0.

Results: Leaf leachate of Eucalyptus camaldulensis showed inhibitory effect. While, Gravellia robusta and Casuarina equisetifolia showed stimulatory effect for on the germination and radicle growth of tested crops.

Conclusion: This result implies to conclude in removing excess Eucalyptus camaldulensis leaf from the crop land should be done to reduce the alleophatic effect & to enhance production of crops.

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