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Updated: 09-12-10

ALLELOPATHIC POTENTIAL OF DODONAEA VISCOSA (L.) JACQ.

BARKATULLAH¹, FARRUKH HUSSAIN² AND MUHAMMAD IBRAR¹

Abstract: Dodonaea viscosa (L.) Jacq., is widespread species forming dense  populations in sub tropical regions of Pakistan. Allelopathic studies with aqueous extracts from leaves, bark, flowers, shoot litter and mulches in various experiments, invariably reduced the germination, plumule growth, radical growth, fresh and dry weight of Pennisetum americanum (L) Skhyuman, Setaria italica (L) P. Beauv and Sorghum vulgare Pers, used as the test species.  Phytotoxicity of extracts depended upon amount and soaking duration. Generally 48 hour extracts were more inhibitory. Leaves were more toxic than bark and flowers. Hot water extract was more inhibitory than aqueous extract obtained at room temperature. Added litter and mulching experiments also proved inhibitory. It is suggested that Dodonaea viscosa has strong allelopathic potential and it might be further tested for its weedicidal and insecticidal activities. Further studies are required to see its allelopathic behavior under field condition against its associated species and to identify the toxic principle, their quantification and its efficacy in the soil.

¹Department of Botany, University of Peshawar, Peshawar, Pakistan

²Centre of Plant Biodiversity, University of Peshawar, Peshawar, Pakistan 

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