TITLE:
Allelopathic Effects of Some Selected Tree Species on the Germination and Growth of Cowpea (Vigna unguiculata L. Walp.)
AUTHORS:
M. O. Aleem, L. O. Alamu, O. S. Olabode
KEYWORDS:
Allelopathy, Inhibition, Azardiracta indica, Vitellaria paradoxa, Parkia biglobosa
JOURNAL NAME:
Open Journal of Forestry,
Vol.4 No.4,
July
11,
2014
ABSTRACT: The allelopathic effect of three tree species (Azardiracta indica, Vitellaria paradoxa, and Parkia bi-globosa)
on germination and growth of cowpea was investigated in the Southern Guinea
Savannah agro ecological zone of Nigeria. The experiment was laid out in
Randomized Complete Block Design (RCBD) with three (3) replicates. Data were
collected on germination, plant height, stem diameter, number of leaves, number
of branches, root length, the above grand biomass and the below grand biomass
and were subjected to statistical analysis using Analysis of Variance (ANOVA)
while the significant mean was separated using Duncan’s Multiple Range Test
(DMRT) at 5% possibility level. Results showed that the tree species brought
about considerable inhibition in the germination of cowpea seeds and in its
growth parameters. The statistical germination value of the cowpea seeds under
the tree species had decreased value thus indicating that growth inhibitions
were seriously felt. It was apparent that Parkia biglobosa (53.33) and Vitellaria paradoxa (60.00) had more
inhibitory effect on cowpea seeds germinability than that of Azardiracta
indica. (63.33) while all the treatments are lower than that of control (100).
The tree species had similar inhibition capability in the cowpea plant height,
stem circumference, number of leaves, above grand biomass and below grand
biomass. However, in all treatment, statistic showed that there is no significant
difference (p