Allelotoxicity of Parthenium leaf extracts on cytomorphological behaviour of sunflower (Helianthus annuus)

In recent decades allelopathy has gained much attention in the sustainable agricultural systems. It is necessary to trace out the mechanism of action of allelochemicals of plants on other plants. Allelochemicals of different plants interact differently with each other. In the present context an attempt has been made to study the influence of allelochemicals released by Parthenium on the growth, morphology and cytology of Helianthus annuus, both being strong allelopathic plants. The lower concentration of decomposed Parthenium leaves showed enhancing effect while higher doses depicted suppressive effect on growth and morphology of Helianthus annuus. However, cytological studies of pollen mother cells (PMCs) revealed increase in abnormality percentage with increasing concentration of allelochemicals. This study suggests better understanding of allelochemicals interaction and their incorporation into the betterment of crop.