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Allelopathic effects of selected
leaf extracts on germination and seedling vigor of medicinal crop
Kasturibhendi (Abelmoschus moschatus medic)
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Research Note - Pankaj Oudhia
© 2001,2002,2003 Pankaj Oudhia - All Rights ReservedIntroduction
Kasturi bhendi ( also known as Ambrette, Muskadana, Latakasturi) is one of the important Medicinal crops of Chhattisgarh, the "Herbal State" ( Oudhia and Tripathi, 2002). In Chhattisgarh, it is known as kharif crop. The seeds of Kasturibhendi is Musk scented and are used as flavoring agent, tonic, stimulant and carminative. These seeds yield an essential oil which is commercially known as Musk seed oil or Ambrette seed oil. Musk seed fragrance is free from faecal note sometimes observed in true musk (Tripathi et al 2002). The demand of Kasturibhendi is increasing very rapidly in national and international drug markets (Oudhia et al 2001). This increasing demand has motivated the Chhattisgarh farmers to cultivate this important medicinal crop in fairly large areas. A survey conducted by SOPAM among herb growers of Chhattisgarh to identify the problems in herbal farming revealed that farmers are facing problems because of poor germination of Kasturibhendi seeds (Oudhia 2001 a). in order to solve this problem using allelopathy as a tool and to study the harmful and beneficial effects of common leaf extracts on germination and seedling vigor of medicinal crop Kasturibhendi , series of pot experiments were conducted.
Material & Methods
Fresh samples of leaves of selected plants ( viz. Ipomoea carena, Psoralea corylifolia,Acorus calamus, Acacia arabica, Murrya koenigii, Mucuna pruriens, Calotropis gigantea, Jatropha curcas and Tridax procumbens) were collected at random at the vegetative stage. To prepare extracts, the crushed leaves were allowed to decay for 24 hrs in distilled water in the ratio of 1:10 w/v (plant material: water). The extracts were allowed to decay at room temperature (28+-2 C) following which the extraction was done using a sieve (2mm mesh). The bioassay experiment was done in earthen pots filled with neutral clay loam soil. Kasturibhendi seeds were soaked in different extracts for 24 hrs. As a control, Kasturibhendi seeds were soaked in distilled water for the same duration. After soaking, 10 seeds of Kasturibhendi were sown in each pot. The experiment was laid out in a randomized block design with four replications; the experiment was repeated twice. Germination was recorded at 5, 7, 9, 11, 13, 15 and 25 days after sowing (DAS) and root and shoot lengths were noted at 25 DAS.
Result and Discussion
Different extracts produced significant allelopathic effects on germination and seedling vigor of Kasturibhendi. At 9, 11, 13, 15 and 25 DAS, Psoralea leaf extract resulted in maximum germination whereas Jatropha leaf extract at 9, 11, 13 and 15 DAS and control (water) at 15 and 25 DAS , lowered the germination to the minimum. At 15 and 25 DAS , Acorus leaf extract produced comparable germination with germination produced by Psoralea leaf extract. In case root elongation , maximum elongation was noted in case of Psoralea leaf extract whereas lowest elongation was noted in case of control (water). All other extracts resulted in higher elongation as compared to control ( water). In case of shoot elongation , Psoralea leaf extracts produced maximum elongation that was at par with elongation produced by Ipomoea, Acorus, Murrya, Mucuna and Tridax leaf extract. All extracts produced higher elongation as compared to control( water). In these experiments, Psoralea leaf extract was identified as promising extract that can be used to promote the initial germination with high seedling vigor. Acorus leaf extract is also identified as potential extract. At present , the soaking of seeds in water prior to sowing is a common practice among herbs growers. As most of the selected extract produced higher germination and seedling vigor as compared to control, the most promising extracts can be used in place of water. Psoralea corylifolia, locally known as Bawchi or Bemchi is a common weed in Chhattisgarh (Oudhia , 2001 b) . the leaves of Acorus is also commonly available in region , as Acorus is one of the commonly grown medicinal crops in Chhattisgarh. The detailed studies on effects of these promising extracts on growth , yield and insects-pest of Kasturibhendi are in progress . the studies on identification of allelochemicals responsible for stimulatory allelopathic effects of these promising extracts are also in progress.
Table 1
Allelopathic effects of selected leaf extracts on germination of Kasturibhendi9DAS 11DAS 13DAS 15DAS 25DAS 1. Ipomoea leaf extract 16.6(+403.0) 40.0(+140.9) 40.0(+140.9) 40.0(+100.00) 40.0(+100.0) 2. Psoralea leaf extract 26.6(+706.0) 46.6(+180.7) 60.0(+561.4) 60.0(+200.0) 60.0(+200.0) 3. Acorus leaf extract 16.6(+403.0) 33.3(+100.6) 43.3(+160.8) 46.6(+133.0) 46.6(+133.0) 4. Acucia leaf extract 6.6(+100.0) 26.6(+60.2) 30.0(+80.7) 30.0(+50.0) 30.0(+50.0) 5. Murrya leaf extract 10.0(+203.0) 23.3(+40.3) 30.0(+80.7) 33.3(+66.5) 33.3(+66.5) 6. Mucuna leaf extract 16.6(+403.0) 26.6(+60.2) 30.0(+80.7) 30.0(+50.0) 33.3(+66.5) 7. Calotropis leaf extract 6.6(+100.0) 23.3(+40.3) 36.6(+120.4) 40.0(+100.0) 40.0(+100.0) 8. Jatropha leaf extract 0.0(-100.0) 6.6(-60.2) 10.0(-39.7) 20.0(0.0) 26.6(+33.0) 9. Tridex leaf extract 3.3(0.0) 23.3(+40.3) 30.0(+80.7) 40.0(+100.0) 40.0(+100.0) 10.Control (water) 3.3 16.6 16.6 20.0 20.0 LSD (0.05) 12.9 18.5 15.6 19.7 16.0 Note: Figures in parentheses indicate percentage stimulation (+) or inhibition over control (water)
Table 2
Allelopathic effects of selected leaf extracts on seedling vigour of KasturibhendiRoot length (cm/plant) Shoot length (cm/plant) 1. Ipomoea 4.0 (+100.0) 2.9 (+61.1) 2. Psoralea 6.4 (+220.0) 4.8 (+166.6) 3. Acorus 3.7 (+85.0) 2.6 (+44.4) 4. Acacia 3.1 (+55.0) 2.4 (+33.3) 5. Murrya 3.3 (+65.0) 2.8 (+55.5) 6. Mucuna 2.8 (+40.6) 2.7 (+50.0) 7. Calotropis 2.8 (+40.6) 2.5 (+38.8) 8. Jatropha 2.3 (+15.6) 1.9 (+5.5) 9. Tridax 2.9 (+45.0) 2.6 (+44.4) 10. Control (water) 2 1.8 LSD (0.05) NS 2.2 inhibition (-) over control (water) on (+) or Note:- figures in the parentheses indicate stimulation (+) or inhibition (-) over control (water)
Table 3
Details of Plant used for studyScientific Name Common Name Family Bahitat Remarks 1 . Ipomoea carnea Beshram Convolvulaceae Found as common weed in aquatic and damp places Many valuable medicinal uses have been reported. Specially useful in Leucoderma. 2. Jatropha curcas Ratanjot Euphorbiaceae Cultivated medicinal herb Well known medicinal herb 3. Acorus calamus Bach Araceae Cultivated medicinal plant. Flourishes well in rice ecosystem Known for it's medicinal properties in India & abroad 4. Blumea lacera Kukronda Leguminoseae A wasteland weed Used in cure of urinogenital disorders and troubles of respiratory systems 5. Psoralea corylifolia Babchi Leguminoseae A wasteland weed Valuable remedy for skin and blood disorders 6. Acacia arabica Babool Leguminoseae A timber tree Valuable remedy for skin and blood disorders 7. Calotropis gigntea Fudhar,Aak Asclepediaceae A common wasteland weed Almost every part of Calotropis posseses valuable medicinal properties 8. Murrya koenigi Mithi Neem Rutaceae Garden herb Leaves used for flavoring & chutneys 9. Mucuna pruiens Kevatch Leguminoseae Cultivated crop Seeds are source of L-DOPA used for Parkinson's disease 10.Tridax Bhengra Asteraceae Common weed Medicinal weed References
1. Oudhia P. (2001a) .Common rice weeds used for first aid by Chhattisgarh farmers. In souvenir cum abstracts. National research seminar on herbal conservation, cultivation, marketing and utilization with special emphasis on Chhattisgarh, 'The Herbal State' .(Editor: P.OUDHIA) Srishti Herbal Academy and Research Institute (SHARI) AND Chhattisgarh Minor Forest Produce (trading & dev.) Co- operative Federation Ltd. , Raipur (India) , 13-14 DECEMBER, 2001. P. 133
2. Oudhia P. (2001b) Improved cultivation practices for medicinal crops : Glimpses of research at farmer's fields in Chhattisgarh (India). In Souvenier cum abstracts. .(Editor: P.OUDHIA) National Research Seminar on Herbal Conservation, Cultivation, Marketing, and Utilization with special emphasis on Chhattisgarh , 'The Herbal State'. Srishti Herbal Academy and Research Institute (SHARI) AND Chhattisgarh Minor Forest Produce (trading & dev.) Co- operative Fedration Ltd. , Raipur (India) , 13-14 DECEMBER,2001. P. 44
3. Oudhia P. and Tripathy R. S. (2002). Prospects of cultivation of medicinal plants in Chhattisgarh , India In : series recent progress in medicinal plants Vol. 5- Crop Improvement , Production Technology, Trade and Commerce, SCI TECH. Pub. USA pp. 211-236
4. Oudhia P. , Dubey O. P. , and Tiwari U. K. (2001). Present status and future prospects of cultivation and marketing of medicinal and aromatic crops: The Indian and International scenario. National Worksho on Conservation and Cultivation of Medicinal and Aromatic Plants , Centre for Forestry Research and Human Resources Development , Chhindwara (India) Dec. 26-27 , 2001
5. Tripathi R. S. , Tuteja S. S. and Oudhia P. (2001) Prospects of cultivation of medicinal plants in Chhattisgarh. In Souvenier cum abstracts. National Research Seminar on Herbal Conservation, Cultivation, Marketing, and Utilization with special emphasis on Chhattisgarh , .(Editor:P.OUDHIA) 'The Herbal State'. Srishti Herbal Academy and Research Institute (SHARI) AND Chhattisgarh Minor Forest Produce (trading & dev.) Co- operative Federation Ltd. , Raipur (India) , 13-14 DECEMBER, 2001. P. 34