Abstract
Prickly chaff flower (Achyranthes aspera L.) is a broadleaf annual herbaceous weed which contains
allelopathic potential and is used for the suppression of crop plants. The experiments were laid out to
check the allelopathic potential of plant residues mixed with soil and aqueous extract of prickly chaff
flower against six broad leaf weeds viz. Digera arvensis, Chenopodium album, Trianthema
portulacastrum, Parthenium hysterophorus, Convolvulus arvensis and Rhynchosia capitata as target
weeds. In first experiment, aqueous extracts of prickly chaff flower having 1, 2, 3, 4 and 5%
concentrations (w/v) were used against target weeds whereas in second experiment, decomposed
prickly chaff flower plant material with concentrations of 2, 4 and 6% (w/w) were mixed into the soils
that were used as germination media for weeds. Results showed that treatments of both experiments
considerably reduced the seedling establishment of target weeds. Substantial inhibition of target weeds
was noted in germination percentage (76.7%), energy (56%) and index (71.4%), respectively. Among
weed species, D. arvensis showed more susceptibility while P. hysterophorus the more resistance
towards phytotoxic effect of aqueous extracts of prickly chaff flower. In second experiment, decline in
weeds’ emergence percentage (61.9%), emergence index (75.9%), emergence energy (38.6%) and
mean emergence time (41.6 days) were recorded. Among weeds, C. arvensis showed the higher
susceptibility while P. hysterophorus the least susceptibility to phytotoxic effect of prickly chaff flower
soil. The results of this study are helpful to the farmers in controlling the weeds through organic means
and save the environment.
Muhammad Ehsan Safdar, Adeela Aslam, Rafi Qamar, Amjed Ali, Muhammad Mansoor Javaid, Muhammad Sikander Hayyat, Ali Raza. (2021) Allelopathic effect of prickly chaff flower (Achyranthes Aspera L.) Used as a tool for managing noxious weeds, Asian Journal of Agriculture and Biology, Volume-09, Issue-2.
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