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Allelopathy Journal 25 (1): 221-226 (2010) International Allelopathy Foundation 2010
Table: -, Figs : 2

SHORT COMMUNICATION
Effects of Dalbergia sissoo Roxb. leaf extract on some
associated crop species of agroforestry
H. AKHTAR, A. KAUSAR, M. AKRAM, Z. A. CHEEMA1, I. ALI and
M. N. MUSHTAQ*2

Department of Botany, Government College University, Faisalabad, Pakistan,

E. Mail: mnmushtaq@gmail.com

(Received in revised form: November 29, 2009)

ABSTRACT
Agroforestry trees in fields may affect the germination and growth of
agricultural crops through release of allelochemicals. Allelopathic effects of
Dalbergia sissoo Roxb. (Shisham) fresh and dry leaves extract (25, 50, and 100%)
were investigated on germination and growth of maize (Zea mays L.), pearlmillet
(Pennisetum glaucum L.) and rice (Oryza sativa L.). In laboratory bioassay, the 100%
dry leaves extract completely inhibited the germination of pearlmillet and rice and
caused 80% reduction in maize. In pot culture, foliar spray of fresh and dry leaves
extracts either had no effect on growth of pearlmillet and rice or slightly promoted
their growth. Dry leaves extract (100%) enhanced the maize dry matter production
(140%) over control. Dry leaves water extract was more effective than fresh leaves.

Key words: Agroforestry, allelopathy, bioassay, compatibility, Dalbergia sissoo,

growth, maize, pearlmillet, pot culture, rice

INTRODUCTION

Rising population pressure, land degradation, soil salinization, urbanization and global
warming are causing food shortage in Asia and Agroforestry has the potential to tackle these
problems (10). The agroforestry increases the productivity of land, improves microclimate and
nutrient cycling, conserves soil and increases overall productivity of farms (16). Many
agroforestry trees have allelopathic potential, hence, they may inhibit or promote the growth of
agricultural crops, through release of secondary metabolites or allelochemicals (4,12). The
aqueous extract of Eucalyptus camaldulensis L. inhibits germination and growth of wheat (9).
The release of allelochemicals from the decomposing litter affects the seed germination, growth
and development of neighboring agricultural crops in agroforestry systems (2). Leaf litters of
Leucaena leucocephala at low rate stimulated the growth of Cicer arietinum, Vigna
unguiculata and Albezia procera but higher rates were inhibitory to test species and inhibitory
effects increase with increase in rate of litter (2). Phytotoxins released from trees affects the
growth and development of agricultural crops (11). Thus it is important to investigate the
allelopathic compatibility of trees with crops before including them in agroforestry systems.

*
Correspondence author; 1Department of Agronomy, University of Agriculture, Faisalabad, Pakistan; 2Graduate
School of Life and Environmental Sciences, University of Tsukuba, Tsukuba 305-8572, Ibaraki, Japan.
222 Akhtar et al

Dalbergia sissoo Roxb. ex DC. is a very valuable perennial tree in tropical and
subtropical Asia (18). In South Asia, it occurs in sub-Himalayan tract and Himalayan
valleys and is self-sown by seeds. To increase its population, it needs to be included in
agroforestry, it will not only help to save this species but also increase the farm
productivity (10). Maize, pearlmillet and rice are major cereal crops in India, Pakistan and
Nepal. This study aimed to evaluate the compatibility of these three crops with D. sissoo
and its allelopathic effects on germination and growth of maize, pearlmillet and rice.

MATERIALS AND METHODS

Mature D. sissoo leaves were collected at maturity from fields. Half of the
collected leaves were dried in an oven at 70°C for 48 h. The fresh and dried leaves were
soaked in distilled water (1:10 w/v) at room temperature (30±2°C) for 24 h. The water
extract was obtained by filtering the mixture through a Whatman # 1 filter paper to obtain
10% extract. After that volume of extract was reduced by 95% through boiling at 100°C
for easy handling, application and storage. This extract was named as stock solution
(100%) and it was diluted to make 25 and 50% concentrations.

Laboratory bioassay
Ten seeds of each test crop maize, pearlmillet and rice were placed on filter
paper (Whatman # 1) in each petri dish (9 cm dia) replicated three times in completely
randomized design with factorial arrangements. Four ml of 25, 50 or 100% extract of
either fresh or dry leaves were applied to respective petri dishes and the control treatment
received 4 ml of distilled water. The seeds were covered with second layer of filter paper
and placed in a germinator at (30°C±2). Both treated and control petri dishes were kept
moist by applying distilled water as needed. Germination was recorded daily till 15 days.
On last day, the seedlings were tested for vigour, number of roots and shoots. Root and
shoot length was recorded with a scale. Seedling dry weight was taken after drying the
plants in oven for 48 h at 70 ºC.

Pot culture
The experiment was started in 2nd week of August. Plastic pots (12 cm dia x 18
cm height) were filled with 800 g air dried soil. Ten seeds were sown per pot and irrigated
with water. Pots were placed in a wire house under ambient environmental conditions.
After germination, 5-plants per pot were maintained by thinning extra plants. When the
seedlings were established, 25, 50 or 100% of fresh or dry leaves water extract was applied
as foliar spray 8 and 16 days after sowing, with hand atomizer. The volume of spray was
350 L ha-1. The experiment was terminated 25 days after sowing. The root and shoot
length, number of roots per plant, and dry weight of seedlings was recorded.

RESULTS AND DISCUSSION

In bioassay, water extract (100%) drastically suppressed the germination of test

species (Fig. 1). The germination inhibition followed the order rice > pearlmillet > maize.
 Allelopathic effects of Dalbergia sissoo 223

(a) Maize Pearlmillet Rice

120
Germination (%)

90
60
30
0
(b) 15
Shoot length (cm)

10

0
(c) 20
15
Root length (cm)

10
5
0
(d) 4
3
Dry weight (g)

2
1
0
0 F25 F50 F100 D25 D50 D100
Aqueous extracts (%)

Figure 1. Effects of D. sissoo extracts on (a) germination (b) shoot length (c) root length and (d)
seedling dry weight of test species in laboratory bioassay. F=Fresh; D=Dry.
224 Akhtar et al

(a)
8 Maize Pearlmillet Rice

6
Root score

4
2
0

(b) 40
30
Shoot length (cm)

20
10
0
(c) 15
Root length (cm)

10

0
(d) 0.80
0.60
Dry weight (g)

0.40
0.20
0.00
0 F25 F50 F100 D25 D50 D100
Aqueous extracts (%)

Figure 2. Effects of foliar applied D. sissoo extracts on (a) root score (b) shoot length (c) root
length and (d) seedling dry weight of test species in pot culture. F=Fresh; D=Dry.
 Allelopathic effects of Dalbergia sissoo 225

Both 50 and 100% dry leaves water extracts completely inhibited the germination of
pearlmillet and rice and reduced the maize germination (57 and 80%) than control. Dry
leaves water extract was more inhibitory to germination of test crops than fresh leaves.
Leaves extracts also affected the early seedling growth of test crops. Fresh leaves water
extract (25%) increased root and shoot length and seedling dry weight in rice. Due to
complete failure of germination with 50% and 100% extracts, seedlings growth did not
occur. Maize was most tolerant species, yet it’s root and shoot length were reduced by dry
leaves extract (25, 50, 100%), however, its dry weight was slightly affected.
In pot culture, the same leaf extracts of D. sissoo were applied as foliar spray on
maize, pearlmillet and rice. The fresh and dry leaves extract (25, 50, and 100%) had no
effect on growth of pearlmillet and rice crops or in some cases slightly promoted their
growth, but the maximum increase was observed in maize (Fig. 2). Dry D. sissoo leaves
extract (100%) considerably promoted the dry matter production (140%) and root length
over the control in maize.
In agroforestry, trees may have positive or negative effects on agricultural crops
(2,13). This study aimed to investigate the positive or negative effects of D. sissoo on three
agricultural crops. D. sissoo leaves extracts inhibited the germination and early seedling
growth of maize, pearlmillet and rice. However in pot culture, foliar spray on seedlings
had no effect on growth of crops or promoted their growth. The inhibitory and promotive
effects of D. sissoo water extract may be due to presence of several isoflavonoids and
neoflavonoids (1,3,6,14,15). Dry leaves water extract was more effective than fresh leaves.
This may be due to better extraction of allelochemicals from the dead plant tissues of dried
leaves.
The response of test crops to D. sissoo extract was variable and maize proved
most resistant crop regarding germination. This may be attributed to specie specific
inhibitory allelopathic effects of trees. Singh et al. (17) reported that leaf leachate of
Thryptomene hexandra was more toxic to germination and radicle and plumule growth of
Hordeum vulgare than Triticum aestivum, and Brassica compestris proved the most
resistant crops. The foliar application of D. sissoo extract, promoted the growth of maize
crop. The allelochemicals have species selective effects (2). Sometimes, on one hand they
inhibit the growth of one specie, but they promote the growth of other species. Effects of
D. sissoo extract were concentration dependent. Lower concentration (25%) extract was
least effective, while 100% extract was most effective. This may be due to presence of
more quantity of allelochemicals in higher concentration of extract (5,7,8).

CONCLUSIONS

The D. sissoo extracts suppressed the germination and early seedling growth of
rice, pearlmillet and maize. The maize proved most resistant species to D. sissoo
allelopathy. However, the foliar application of D. sissoo extract either did not affect or
promoted the growth of crops. Therefore, crops sown in summer (minimum leaf fall
from D. sissoo occurs) like rice, pearlmillet and maize can be grown with D. sissoo trees
in agroforestry.
226 Akhtar et al

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