Allelopathic Effect Of The Various Extracts Of Lantana camara L On Seed Germination And Subsequent Seedling Growth Of Psoralea Corylifolia L An Important Medicinal Plant

Abstract

Lantana camara L. (Verbenaceae) is native to tropical America and has been introduced into India and many other countries as an ornamental and hedge plant. The species has been spreading quickly and has naturalized in more than 60 countries as an invasive noxious weed. It is considered to be one of the world s 100 worst alien species. L. camara often forms dense monospecies stands through the interruption of the regeneration process of indigenous plant species. Allelopathy of L. camara has been reported to play a crucial role in its invasiveness. In the present study, the phytochemical screening and allelopathic effect of the methanolic root, stem and leaf extracts of Lantana camara L. at different concentrations of (25%,50%, 75% and 100%) on germination and seedling growth of Psoralea corylifolia L. was performed. The results of qualitative phytochemical screening of methanolic extract of Lantana camara L. root, stem and leaves revealed the presence of various bioactive secondary metabolic constituents as alkaloids, flavonoids, phenols, carbohydrates, amino acids, steroids, terpenoids and proteins. The quantitative phytochemical analysis of methanolic extracts of Lantana camara L. root, stem and leaves showed the maximum concentration of carbohydrates, followed by phenols, starch, proteins, total chlorophyll and amino acids. newline Present investigation revealed that extracts from root, stem and leaf of L. camara suppressed the germination and growth of Psoralea corylifolia L. Results of the pot culture experiment indicated that all morphological, biochemical features, including height of plants, number of branches, number of leaves and root length were found to be significantly affected by weed extracts and such effects were found to be effective at optimum concentrations beyond which it showed negative results. Therefore it is estimated that released allelochemicals may suppress the regeneration process of indigenous plant species by decreasing their germination and seedling growth and increasing their mortal