Effect of aqueous extracts of Chrozophora obliqua (Del.) Juss. on germination and seedling growth of Zea mays

The allelopathic influence of aqueous extracts of Chrozophora obliqua (Del.) Juss. on the germination and seedling growth of Zea mays have been determined. It was noted that 10g aqueous extracts of leaves and 48hr treatment present significant inhibitory effect on germination, radical length and number of seminal roots and the effect was found significantly higher than that recorded in the stem and control treatment. The inhibitory effects were increased proportionally with increasing extract concentration and soaking duration. The only exception was observed in the 5g concentration of leaves that decreased the plumule length. These findings indicate that Z. mays sown in fields which had leaf and stem litter of C. obliqua will be adversely affected regarding germination, growth and ultimately resulting in lower yield.