Global Journal of Biology, Agriculture & Health Sciences

Abstract

ALLELOPATHIC EFFECTS OF MORINGA OLIFERA ON THE GERMINATION AND SEEDLING SURVIVAL OF EUPHORBIA HETEROPHYLLA L.

Ademiluyi Benson Oluwafemi

Laboratory studies were carried out to test the allelopathic effect of fresh leaf aqueous extract (FLE) of Moringa olifera on the germination and early growth of Euphorbia heterophylla in the Department of Plant Science of Ekiti State University Ado Ekiti. Harvested fresh leaves of Moringa olifera were blended and 5 g, 10 g, 15 g and 20 g each of the material separately soaked in 100ml of distilled water for 24 hours and later filtered to make the FLE. 5ml from each filtrate was used to moisten the double laid filter paper in the Petri dishes and 20 seeds sowed in each. Speed of germination and germination percentage including other seedling growths were observed. The results showed that higher FLE concentration of Moringa olifera slowed down germination speed and also reduced total germination percentage of E. heterophylla than the lower concentrations and the control. No germination of Moringa olifera was observed at the highest concentration of 20 g Moringa olifera. All the growth parameters observed were reduced by higher concentrations of FLE of Moringa olifera more than the lower and the control. Seedling survival of E. heterophylla got reduced as the concentration of the fresh leaf extract of M. olifera increased. The result from this trial suggests that Moringa olifera possesses some bio-herbicidal properties that may be used to help suppress Euphorbia heterophylla.