Evaluating the Potential of Allelopathic Plant Water Extracts in Suppressing Horse Purslane Growth

This study was conducted to investigate the potential of sorghum (Sorghum bicolor), sunflower (Helianthus annuus), brassica (Brassica napus), maize (Zea mays), rice (Oryza sativa) and mulberry (Morus alba) water extract applied in combination in suppressing germination and growth of horse purslane. In the laboratory bioassay, sorghum+sunflower water extract combination at higher concentration (100%) completely inhibited germination of horse purslane. In pot experiment, the foliar application of sorghum + sunflower water extract combination at higher concentration (100%) greatly suppressed growth traits (shoot & root length) of horse purslane seedling and this combination reduced shoot dry weight by 66% over control. Inhibitory effect was proportional to the concentrations of the extracts and higher concentration had the stronger inhibitory effect. In crux, combination of sorghum + sunflower water extracts may be used as natural herbicide to control horse purslane. © 2010 Friends Science Publishers