In Punjab waste-lands are being rapidly occupied by a noxious weed Parthenium hysterophorus L.. field surveys revealed that the allelopathic grass Desmostachya bipinnata Stapf. restricts the spread of this weed. The field study disclosed that both the frequency and density of P. hysterophorus was lower at D. bipinnata dominating localities as compared to nearby areas without the infestation of this grass. Aqueous root and shoot extracts of D. bipinnata of 5, 10, 15 and 20% (w/v) concentrations significantly reduced the germination of P. hysterophorus. A 20% root and shoot extract completely arrested the germination of P. hysterophorus. Aqueous extracts also inhibited the root and shoot length as well as seedling biomass of P. hysterophorus. Shoot extract was more inhibitory than root extract.
A. Javaid, T. Anjum, R. Bajwa. (2005) BIOLOGICAL CONTROL OF PARTHENIUM II: ALLELOPATHIC EFFECT OF DESMOSTACHYA BIPINNATA ON DISTRIBUTION AND EARLY SEEDLING GROWTH OF PARTHENIUM HYSTEROPHORUS L. , , Volume 2, Issue 2.
