Author

Manikandan Muthuswamy* and Rejila Manikandan

Abstract

In agroforestry systems, the integration of trees and shrubs into agricultural landscapes presents a promising approach for sustainable weed management. Certain tree species, like Shorea robusta (Sal), exhibit allelopathic properties that may naturally inhibit weed growth. This study explores the herbicidal potential of S. robusta by assessing the impact of its leaf and bark extracts on the growth of two prevalent weeds, Crotalaria retusa and Senna occidentalis. Aqueous and methanolic extracts were prepared from the leaves and bark of S. robusta. These extracts were applied to weed seedlings at various concentrations (5%, 10%, 15%, and 20%) in a controlled environment. The growth of C. retusa and S. occidentalis seedlings was measured by assessing parameters such as shoot length, root length, and biomass weight over a period of 14 days. The results revealed that both leaf and bark extracts of S. robusta exhibited concentration-dependent inhibition on the growth of the weed seedlings. Aqueous leaf extracts demonstrated the strongest inhibitory effect, significantly reducing shoot and root length as well as biomass compared to control plants. Methanolic extracts were less effective, with bark extracts showing a weaker inhibitory response than leaf extracts. The 20% concentration of leaf extract caused the most pronounced reduction in growth parameters, with C. retusa being more sensitive than S. occidentalis. This study highlights the potential of S. robusta as an eco-friendly, natural herbicide for weed management in agroforestry systems. The allelopathic properties of S. robusta may provide an alternative to chemical herbicides, supporting sustainable agriculture practices. Further research is needed to isolate the specific allelopathic compounds responsible for these effects and to explore their broader applications in integrated weed management.

Pages: 355-360

Doi Number 10.61289/jibs2026.07.10.0452

Keywords Shorea robusta, Crotalaria retusa, Senna occidentalis, Agroforestry, Plant extracts, Sustainable agriculture, Herbicide resistance.