ALLELOPATHIC EFFECTS OF Centella asiatica AQUEOUS EXTRACTS ON PEARL MILLET (Pennisetum typhoides L.) AND COWPEA (Vigna unguiculata WALP.)

The allelopathic effects of aqueous leaf extracts of Centella asiatica showed inhibitory effects on the seed germination (%), shoot length and root length of crop plants Pennisetum typhoides (pearl millet) and Vigna unguiculata (cowpea). It was noted that aqueous leaf extracts at a concentration of 5, 10, 15, 20 and 25% inhibitory effect on pearl millet and cowpea germination and the effect was foundsignificantly higher than control treatment. The fresh and dry weight of all the treated plants was also reduced significantly compared to the control. The extracts also inhibited the shoot and root length of Pearl millet and Cowpea seedlings with increases in leaf extracts concentration. In the present study,the results showed that the inhibitory effect might be due to the presence of some allelochemicals in the aqueous leaf extracts of Centella asiatica.