Effect of Aqueous Extract of Three Plants Grown under Stress Environment on Purple Nutsedge (Cyperus rotundus L.)

Abstract

Purple nutsedge (Cyperus rotundus L.)is the world top ranked noxious weed with strong competitive abilities and difficult to control by general herbicides. The research was conducted to explore the herbicidal potential of three different plant species (Cymbopogon citratus, Tamarix dioca and Desmotachya bipinnata) to control purple nutsedge. Pots were organized in Complete Randomized Design with four replicates. The aqueous extract of three plants was applied on tubers of purple nutsedge immediately after the tuber’s planting. Different concentrations of plant extract i.e., 0, 25, 50, 75, 100 percent concentrated water extract and crude water extract was applied as pre-emergence. The results showed that the extract of the highest concentration (100%) of two plants Cymbopogon citratus and Desmotachya bipinnata was capable of completely stopping tubers from sprouting. Cymbopogon citratus is proven to be the best plant compared to Tamarix dioca and Desmotachya bipinnata against C. rotundus. Treatments like Crude water extract and 25% concentration were unable to control C. rotundus as their effect was the same as compared to the control. Aqueous extract of Cymbopogon citratus provided complete suppression of C. rotundus at 100% and 75% concentrations. Significant reductions in biomass was observed at 50% concentration. Desmotachya bipinnata at 75% concentration caused a significant reduction in root length, shoot length, root fresh weight, shoot fresh weight, root dry weight, shoot dry weight, and tuber density. While in the case of Tamarix dioca only 100% treatment was proven effective reduce the growth attributes. Cymbopogon citratus can be used as bioherbicide as it showed maximum suppressive potential against C. rotundus.