Title: Bio-herbicidal properties of sorghum and sunflower aqueous extracts against germination and seedling growth of dragon spurge (Euphorbia dracunculoides Lam.)
Anstract: Considering allelopathy as an ecologically sound weed management approach, bio-herbicidal potential of sorghum (Sorghum bicolor L. Moench) and sunflower (Helianthus annuus L.) extracts were evaluated against germination and seedling growth of dragon spurge (Euphorbia dracunculoides L.). Different concentrations (0, 25, 50, 75, and 100%) of aqueous extracts, applied alone and in combination, were tested in a laboratory bioassay. Results revealed that germination of dragon spurge was delayed by sorghum and sunflower extracts applied alone or in combination and their different concentrations. Sorghum and sunflower aqueous extracts combined at 100% concentration inhibited seed germination 92%, while sole application of aqueous extract of sorghum was more inhibitory to dragon spurge germination (88%) than that of sunflower (80%). However at low concentrations (25 and 50%), sunflower aqueous extract performed better than the sorghum extract. All extracts concentrations exhibited a pronounced negative influence on early seedling growth of dragon spurge. Inhibition of shoot and root dry biomass by the different concentrations of the aqueous extracts was 53-86% and 49-79% for sorghum and 29-87% and 32-83% for sunflower. Their combination application inhibited shoot and root biomass 41-90% and 65-87%, respectively. The study established the bio-herbicidal potential of sorghum and sunflower aqueous extracts against dragon spurge. Their combination can be used as bio-herbicide for management of this weed. [Khaliq, Matloob, Tanveer, Abbas and Khan (2012). Bio-herbicidal properties of sorghum and sunflower aqueous extracts against germination and seedling growth of dragon spurge (Euphorbia dracunculoides Lam.). Pakistan Journal of Weed Science Research. 18(2): 137-14.] ${imageDescription} Comment