Abstract

Weeds are plants that present significant challenges to agricultural production. The control of weeds through the use of synthetic herbicides, affect both the proper functioning of the ecosystem and the health of humans and other organisms. The allelopathic effects of aqueous extract of Nypa fructicans an invasive plant on the germination of Tridax procumbens and Cyperus rotundus was investigated. Leaf and root extracts of Nypa fructicans were prepared following the standard methods. The seeds were treated in 0%, 25%, 50%, 75%, and 100% concentrations and distilled water was used as control (0%). The aqueous leaf extract of Nypa fructican showed significant inhibitory activity on germination potency of the seeds of Tridax procumbens and Cyperus rotundus in terms of Germination Index. There was concentration dependent decrease in germination rate across the test samples. The maximum and minimum inhibitory values were obtained in 100% and control (0%) extract concentrations respectively. The study revealed that both the leaf and root extracts of Nypa fructican have significant impact at (p≤0.05) on the germination of Tridax procumbens and Cyparus rotundus.