Allelopathy effect of eucalyptus on seed germination and growth of calendula and marigold

Abstract

The experiment was carried out to study the allelopathy effect of eucalyptus on seed germination and growth of calendula and marigold. The germination and growth performance were assessed through petri dish and pot culture experiment. The germination percentage was significantly reduced with increasing concentration of Eucalyptus leachates in calendula and marigold. In Petri dish study, the maximum germination percentage was recorded in control with no leachates and there was no germination in 75% and 100% bark leachates of Eucalyptus in calendula and marigold. Higher shoot and root length and vigour index were recorded in control and lowest was in 100% leaf leachates in marigold and calendula. From this study, it can be concluded that that eucalyptus may be responsible for inhibiting germination and growth of economically important ornamental flower crop calendula and marigold.