SCREENING AND EVALUATION OF Euphorbia pulcherrima FOR WEED MANAGEMENT

Keeping in view the serious threat of weeds to agriculture, the present study was conducted to evaluate the phytotoxic activity of Euphorbia pulcherrima aqueous extract against weeds. Concentrations (50, 75 and 100%) of E. pulcherrima aqueous extracts were applied on Avena fatua, Rumex dentatus, Euphorbia helioscopia and Sorghum halepense. Shoot length of Avena fatua and Rumex dentatus was not affected by any of the extract concentrations; whereas all the concentrations significantly reduced the shoot length of Euphorbia helioscopia and Sorghum halepense. In case of E. helioscopia reduction in shoot length was concentration dependent. Root length of all the tested weeds was reduced significantly at all three concentrations. Germination of A. fatua remained unaffected by all extract concentrations whereas E. helioscopia and S. halepense germination was reduced at higher concentrations. In R. dentatus, germination was significantly enhanced at 75% extract concentration. It was concluded that E. pulcherrima aqueous extract could be used for the eradication of weeds posing serious threats to crop yield.