Management of A Noxious Weed; Melilotus indicus L.via Allelopathy of Cotula cinerea Del.

The main objective of the present study was to assess the biological activity of Cotula cinerea (donor species) on germination efficiency as well as some physiological parameters of Melilotus indicus (recipient species). Germination percentage (GP), plumule (PL) and radicle (RL) lengths as well as seedling dry weight (SDW) (mg seedlings-1) was significantly inhibited by applying different concentrations of C. cinerea shoot extract (CCSAE). The shoot (SHL) and root (ROL) lengths of M. indicus was significantly affected by applying the different levels of C. cinerea shoot crude powder (CCSCP). Expectedly, the leaf area index (LAI) (mm2/mm2) had also reported a significant reduction. The total photosynthetic pigments were significantly decreased in the recipient species as affected with different CCSCP levels. Conversely, Carotenoids content exhibited a significant increase with the increase in CCSCP level. Total available carbohydrates (TAC) and total protein contents of the recipient species were significantly decreased with increasing of CCSCP level.