The Impact of Commolina benghalensis Extract on Maize (Zea mays L.) Seed Germination and Early Seedling Growth

Abstract

The laboratory experiment were conducted at Agricultural Technical Vocational Education and Training College at Wolaita Soddo, Ethiopia during 2013 with the objective of investigating the impact of root and whole plant extract of Commolina benghalensis on germination and early seedling growth of maize (Zea mays L.). Laboratory bioassay of different level water extract concentrations (0, 2.5, 5.0, 7.5 and 10.0%) of weed parts (root and whole plant) was arranged in Complete Randomized Design. It was found that the reduction in germination percentage was 6.7, 25.0, 36.7 and 43.3% with 2.5, 5.0, 7.5 and 10.0% water extracts, respectively, over the control. The shortest (9.06cm) root length was recorded with whole plant at 10.0% water extract which did not significantly vary from the interaction of root at 10% water extract concentration. The lowest shoot length was observed with the interaction of whole plant and 10.0% extract concentration which was statistically at par with10%  root extract and 7.5% whole plant extract. The decrease in dry matter weight accumulation in maize seedling treated with 10.0% extract concentration was 37.2% over the control. The whole weed plant part was significantly reduced (11.1%) the dry matter weight than the root extract. The decrease in vigor index due to the increase in extract concentrations of C. benghalensis was 11.8, 30.2, 50.1 and 48.5% respectively, at the extract concentration of 2.5, 5, 7.5, and 10% over the control.

Keyword; Allelopathy, Commolina benghalensis, Water extract, Zea mays.