Allelopathic Effect of Nutgrass (Cyperus tuberosus) Seed and Leaf Extract on The Germination Of Groundnut (Arachis hypogea L.)

Abstract

The effects of leaf and root extracts of Cyperus tuberosus on the germination of groundnut(Arachis hypogea) was investigated using six (6) aqueous extract levels (0.0 g/cm3, 0.53 3 3 3 3g/cm , 1.5 g/cm , 2.0 g/cm , 2.5 g/cm and 3.0 g/cm ).There were 6 treatments with 3replicates fitted into completely randomized design (CRD) at the Micro-biologyLaboratory of the Science Laboratory Technology Department of Federal PolytechnicMubi, Adamawa State, Nigeria. It was observed from the results that the aqueous extractconcentration of 0.5g/cm3 and 1.0g/cm3 had significant (P<0.05) effect on the germinationof groundnut and that the toxic chemical released by C. tuberosus aqueous extract affectedthe germination of groundnut at the beginning of the experiment for all the treatments. Theresults also revealed that different concentrations of leaf extract caused significantinhibitory effect on germination of the test crop. Bioassays also indicated that the inhibitoryeffect was proportional to the concentrations of the extracts and higher concentrations hadthe stronger inhibitory effect, whereas, the lower concentrations showed stimulatory effectin some cases. This investigation also shows that the leaf extract of C. tuberosus have moreallelopathic effect than seed extract.