Mulberry leaf water extract inhibits bermudagrass and promotes wheat growth

Razia Abdul Haq, Mumtaz Hussain, Zahid Ata Cheema, Muhammad Naeem Mushtaq*, Muhammad Farooq

*Corresponding author for this work

Research output: Contribution to journalArticlepeer-review

29 Citations (Scopus)

Abstract

Allelopathy has the potential to tackle the concerns associated with the indiscriminate use of synthetic herbicides. In search of a natural herbicide, the effects of mulberry (Morus alba) leaf water extracts on bermudagrass (Cynodon dactylon) and wheat (Triticum aestivum) were investigated. Four concentrations of extract (25, 50, 75, and 100%) were compared with a control (distilled water). The results revealed that the pregermination application of 100% mulberry leaf water extract resulted in the complete inhibition of bermudagrass and wheat germination. However, postemergence, two foliar sprays suppressed only the growth of bermudagrass and promoted wheat growth. The effect of the mulberry leaf water extract was concentration dependent. It is evident that the postemergence application of mulberry leaf water extract has the scope for use as natural herbicide for the control of bermudagrass and to promote the growth and yield of wheat.

Original languageEnglish
Pages (from-to)234-240
Number of pages7
JournalWeed Biology and Management
Volume10
Issue number4
DOIs
Publication statusPublished - Dec 2010
Externally publishedYes

Keywords

  • Allelopathy
  • Bermudagrass
  • Growth
  • Mulberry
  • Natural herbicide
  • Wheat

ASJC Scopus subject areas

  • Agronomy and Crop Science

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