Vinitha S Babu

Allelopathic Effect of Myristica Fragrans on Vigna Radiata Vinitha S Babu

Allelopathy is derived from two Greek words 'Allelon' means each other and 'Pathos' means to suffer i.e., the injurious effect of one upon another. However, allelopathy has also been coined as a term, which refers to all biochemical interactions (stimulatory and inhibitory) among plants, including microorganism [1]. The term allelopathy generally refers to the detrimental effects of one species (the donor) on the germination, growth or development of plants of another species (the recipient). It can be separated from other mechanisms of plant interference, because the detrimental effect is exerted through release of chemical inhibitors (allelochemicals) by the donor species to the plant environment. It is, therefore, different from competition which involves the removal or reduction of some growth factors from the environment that is required by some other plants sharing the same habitat e.g., water, minerals and sunlight. The present study aimed to evaluate the allelopathic potential of Myristica fragrans against Vigna radiata. The parameters selected for evaluation include germination, height of seedling, vigour index and phytotoxicity. Control group was also maintained. The germi