Allelopathic Effects of Neem (Azadirachta indica A. Juss.) on Seed Germination and Seedling Growth in Mung and Barley
Bhaktaranjan Muduli
P.G Department of Botany, Fakir Mohan University, Vyasa Vihar, Nuapadhi, Balasore, Odisha, India.
Adyasha Panda
P.G Department of Botany, Fakir Mohan University, Vyasa Vihar, Nuapadhi, Balasore, Odisha, India.
Swagat Kumar Barik *
P.G Department of Botany, Fakir Mohan University, Vyasa Vihar, Nuapadhi, Balasore, Odisha, India.
*Author to whom correspondence should be addressed.
Abstract
The allelopathic effects of aqueous leaf extract of Azadirachta indica A.Juss. (Neem) on the seed germination and seedling growth of two economically important crops mung bean (Vigna radiata (L.) R. Wilczek) barley (Hordeum vulgare L.) were investigated. Aqueous leaves extract of Neem was tested for its allelopathic activity on the seed germination and seedling growth of two economically important crops mung bean and Barley. The findings demonstrate that leaf extracts of Azadirachta indica (Neem) exhibit significant allelopathic potential, effectively suppressing both radicle and plumule elongation. Furthermore, a concentration dependent relationship was observed, wherein increasing extract concentrations corresponded to progressively inhibition of germination rate. Seedling vigour index and tolerance index also decreased with increasing concentration of neem allelochemicals for both species ranging from 3% to 12%, mung bean recorded a higher reduction indicating its lower tolerance level against neem allelochemicals. In conclusion, the results indicate that A. indica is a promising natural source of allelochemicals (azadirachtin) that could be used in sustainable agriculture, such as weed management and crop protection, and the study suggests that more research is needed to understand the specific compounds and their potential environmental effects.
Keywords: Azadirachtin, allelopathy, Vigna radiata, Hordeum vulgare, radicle, plumule, vigor index, tolerance index, sustainable agriculture