ALLELOPATHIC POTENTIAL OF LEAF LEACHATES OF CHROMOLAENA AND LANTANA ON MUNG BEAN (VIGNA RADIATA L. CV. K-851) SEEDS

Chromolaena and Lantana plants were analyzed to evaluate the existence of allelopathic effect using fully viable seeds of mung bean as the bioassay material. The study shows that pretreatment of mung bean seeds with various concentrations [1:1 and 1:2 (w/v)] of Chromolaena and Lantana leaf leachate for 24 h interval reduced the percentage germination. DNA and RNA contents were significantly reduced with a remarkable increase of amylase activity in seed samples pretreated with leaf leachate of Chromolaena and Lantana. The seedling performance was found to be much poor when the seedlings were raised from seeds which underwent pretreatment with the plant leachates. Evidenced from the lower levels of chlorophyll, DNA and RNA as well as a higher level of amylase activity in leaves of seedlings. Leaf leachate causes the reduction of germinability and influenced activity of amylase enzyme being the important allelopathic indices; it can be concluded that Chromolaena and Lantana can potentially render allelopathic action on mung bean. It further reemphasizes the fact that fast-growing exotic invasive weeds like Chromolaena and Lantana having inhibiting property should be treated as a potential threat to plant diversity in a natural ecosystem.