Agricultural productivity, Chemical weed management, Herbicide resistance, Precision weed management

Weeds constitute a major constraint to agricultural productivity. Chemical weed management has been the focus in agriculture ever since the discovery of 2,4-D over 75 years ago. But repeated application of one type of herbicides will sort out resistant strains within the weed population. This became real beginning 1957 in U.K., Hawaii, USA and Canada in the case of 2,4-D. With continuous use of same group of herbicides since that time, herbicide resistance has become a significant global problem. Currently, 262 weed species (152 dicots and 110 monocots), infesting 93 crops and non-crop areas in 70 countries, have been identified to develop resistance to different herbicides. In this situation, weed scientists need to look for alternative weed management approaches that enhance agricultural productivity. One such alternative is precision weed management (PWM) which is inclusive of those methods that will ensure greater farm productivity. These include a combination of need-specific, site-specific and cost-effective weed sensing systems (ground-based and aerial-based) in addition to integrated weed management that includes chemical, mechanical, manual and cultural methods. Weed scientists need to look ahead to explore and develop a combination of these methods for the benefit of farming community by reorienting their future research programs in this direction. 

Freshwater ecosystems, India, Climate change, Hydrophytes, Invasiveness, Biological adaptation 

The vulnerability of the freshwater ecosystem due to the global atmospheric changes is an agonizing concern. Exacerbating greenhouse gases, the temperature and ill-considered anthropogenic activities are manifesting the disruption in the ecosystems worldwide including the freshwater ecosystem. The objective of this review work is scrutinization of the invasive, alien, and stress-tolerant aquatic plant species – how their augmentation and endurance are facilitated by myriad factors (both biotic and abiotic) with a special focus on Indian climatic condition. The groundwork is concentrated mainly on the few invasive aquatic weeds like Eichhornia crassipes (Mart.) Solms, Pistia stratiotes L., Salvinia molesta D.S.Mitch., and Alternanthera philoxeroides (Mart.) Griseb. as they are more problematic and more pernicious. However, the other less invasive ones should not be underestimated as they can also boom any time in the future due to the impact of climate change and might cause havoc. In this paper, we have tabulated 130 species of alien and invasive freshwater hydrophytes and evaluated discrete forces that might promote their invasiveness. The temperature, precipitation, wind pattern, salinity, nutrient concentration, natural calamities (like flood and drought), elevation, run-offs, habitat fragmentation, and many other elements diminishing the natural biogeochemistry of the freshwater ecosystem. The hydrophytes invasiveness undermines the society, ecologically and economically as well. There are more than one hundred freshwater invasive hydrophytes, found in India. Aquatic macrophytes rather than hydrophytes are the imperative unit of the freshwater ecosystem by providing food, oxygen, and habitat for aquatic organisms including enormous imperiled ones too and thus playing a crucial role in maintaining the food web. But the invasiveness of the alien species restrains all-embracing ecological balance, and also getting promoted due to some environmental issues like increased temperature, nutrient enrichment, humanitarian interferences. Undoubtedly, the management of invasive species is a prodigious challenge. It is candidly essential to be aware of the way and effects of climate change on the freshwater ecosystem for the better understanding and scope to implement potential management measurements - physical, mechanical, chemical, and biological to preserve the indigenous ecological aspects for the freshwater ecosystem. Such studies shall help the investigators attain better perception about these plants and will provide scope to excel in strategic management under changing climatic conditions. 

Direct-seeded rice (DSR), Herbicide resistance, Integrated weed management, Non-chemical approach, Weed competitive cultivars, Weeds

Lower input (water, labour and energy) demand of direct-seeded rice (DSR), compared to conventional puddled transplanted rice (PTR), is the key driver for expanding the DSR area in many countries of Asia. The success of DSR, however, lies in effective management of weeds. For sustainable weed management, DSR systems need management interventions other than herbicides. Identification and introduction of weed competitive rice cultivars offers one of the potential and safe approaches to manage weeds in DSR. This article reviews the research on role of weed-competitive rice cultivars in managing weed infestation in DSR. It is reported that higher early vigour on account of rapid early growth, leaf area and biomass accumulation; plant height, root and shoot competition; crop duration and allelopathy etc. are the key traits associated with weed competitiveness. We aim to provide a logical perspective of exploring and exploiting the competitiveness of rice cultivars to strongly compete for resources with the associated weed flora to overcome stress, which is essential to realize potential yields in DSR system.

Basmati rice, Mustard seed meal, Rice bran, Weed management, Weed index, Weed control efficiency

A field experiment was conducted during Kharif (rainy) seasons of 2015 and 2016 to study the response of varying organic and inorganic sources of nutrients and weed management on weed flora, basmati rice growth and yield. Application of 100% organics + vesicular-arbuscular mycorrhiza (VAM) recorded significantly higher values of growth parameters, yield attributes, grain yield, net returns and B:C ratio of rice which was statistically at par with 100% organics + marigold for potato on border as trap crop and bottle guard as trap crop for french bean and 100% organics (100% recommended nitrogen using different organic sources each equivalent to 1/3 of recommended  nitrogen i.e. farm yard manure (FYM)+ vermicompost + non edible oil cake). Amongst the weed management treatments, application of mustard seed meal 5 t/ha resulted in significantly lowest weed density and biomass (species wise and total); highest weed control efficiency; lowest weed index; highest growth, yield attributes and grain yield of basmati rice which was statistically at par with application of rice bran 4 t/ha and weed free treatment. However, the highest net returns and B:C ratio were obtained in weed free plots.

Conservation agriculture, Maize, Wheat, Greengram, Cropping system, Weed dynamics

Conservation agriculture (CA) can promote sustainable crop intensification. However, weeds are the major constraints under CA, in the initial years. Nitrogen (N) management under CA is also crucial. A field experiment was undertaken to study the effect of conventional tillage (CT) and CA with and without residue using 75 and 100% recommended N dose on weed dynamics and crop productivity during 2018-19 and 2019-20 in maize (Zea mays L.) under maize - wheat (Triticum aestivum L.) - greengram (Vigna radiata (L.) Wilczek) cropping system at ICAR-Indian Agricultural Research Institute, New Delhi. Nine CA-based treatments and one conventional tillage were laid out in a randomized complete block design with three replications. CA-based zero till (ZT) bed planting systems with residue retention resulted in significant reductions in total weed density and biomass compared to CT. Permanent broad bed with residue using 75% N resulted in 34% lesser weed density than CT. Among the CA-based treatments, the permanent broad bed with residue using 100% N resulted in 22% higher maize grain yield than CT (5.72 t/ha) with 36% higher net returns than CT. However, the permanent broad bed with residue using 75% N was found comparable in this regard and may be recommended for sustainable maize production under the maize-wheat-greengram system in north-western Indo Gangetic Plains of India.

Clodinafop + metsulfuron (ready-mix), Fenoxaprop, Herbicide mixtures, Metribuzin, Phalaris minor, Weed management, Wheat

Phalaris minor is the major problematic weed in wheat in the north-western Indo-Gangetic Plains including Punjab and Haryana regions. The accelerated development of herbicide resistance in weed species has narrowed down the chemical options with the wheat farmers for the effective control of weeds. In this regard, a study was conducted with different post-emergence (PoE) herbicides (clodinafop 60 g/ha, fenoxaprop 100 g/ha, sulfosulfuron 25 g/ha, pinoxaden 50 g/ha, mesosulfuron + iodosulfuron 14.4 g/ha, sulfosulfuron + metsulfuron 32 g/ha, clodinafop + metsulfuron 64 g/ha) alone and in combination with metribuzin (105 g/ha) at CCS Haryana Agricultural University, Regional Research Station Uchani, Karnal during 2018-19 and 2019-20. The metribuzin based tank mixed PoE herbicides application resulted in 70-89% weed control efficiency as compared to 17-54% with their application alone, during both the years. The tank mixed metribuzin based PoE herbicides application resulted in effective control of P. minor as well as broad-leaved weeds and also resulted in higher wheat grain yields (5.59 to 5.98 t/ha) when compared to sole application of PoE herbicides (4.18 to 5.19 t/ha). However, soil type, soil moisture and cultivars should be taken in to consideration while using the effective tank-mixed metribuzin based combinations.

2,4-D, Barley, Herbicides, Isoproturon, Nutrient depletion, Weed control efficiency, Weed dynamics, Weed management

A field experiment was conducted on loamy sand soil at Agricultural Research Station, Sriganganagar, Rajasthan, India during two consecutive Rabi (winter) seasons of 2012-13 and 2013-14 to identify effective weed management treatments for attaining higher productivity of barley (Hordeum vulgare L.), while understanding the associated weeds dynamics. Chenopodium album and Chenopodium murale were the major dicot weeds that occurred along with the emergence of crop. Cyperus rotundus, Phalaris minor and Asphodelus tenuifolius were the dominant monocot weed species. The hand weeding twice at 25 and 45 days after seeding (DAS) and isoproturon at 500 g/ha + 2,4-D at 250 g/ha 30 DAS resulted in significant reduction in weed density and weed biomass. Maximum weed control efficiency (WCE) with minimum N, P and K depletion by weeds at harvest was observed with hand weeding twice (95.06%) followed by isoproturon 500 g/ha + 2,4-D at 250 g/ha 30 DAS (80.24%). Significantly higher seed, straw, biological yields of barley were observed with hand weeding twice. Next best treatments were isoproturon 500 g + 2,4-D at 250 g/ha 30 DAS and isoproturon at 500 g + metsulfuron methyl 4 g/ha 30 DAS

Groundnut, Herbicides, Imazethapyr, Pendimethalin, Weed management

A field experiment was conducted during three consecutive summer seasons of 2016-17, 2017–2018 and 2018-2019 in sandy clay loam soil at the Research Farm, Bidhan Chandra Krishi Viswavidyalaya, West Bengal to study the effect of different weed control methods in summer groundnut. The experiment comprising six treatments was replicated four times in a randomized block design. The pre-emergence application (PE) of pendimethalin 1.5 kg/ha followed by post-emergence application (PoE) of imazethapyr 75 g/ha was found to be the most effective in controlling weeds, and resulted in higher groundnut growth and yield attributes, higher pod yield (2.76 t/ha) and maximum BCR (2.65) than other treatments in summer groundnut crop grown in sequence with rice.

Groundnut, Imazethapyr, Pendimethalin, Pod Yield, Weed control efficiency, Weed management

A field study was conducted under arid climatic conditions at Agricultural Research Station, Mandor, Jodhpur, Rajasthan, India, during rainy season (Kharif) of 2018, 2019 and 2020. The aim of this study was to identify effective and profitable weed management practices in groundnut for managing weeds and improve groundnut productivity. The weed density and biomass were reduced significantly with hand weeding twice at 20 and 40 days after sowing (DAS). Next best treatment was pendimethalin 30 EC + imazethapyr 2 EC (ready mix) 1.0 kg/ha pre-emergence application (PE) followed by (fb) manual weeding at 30 DAS. The highest weed control efficiency (87.48%) and herbicide efficiency index (4.66%) were also recorded with manual weeding twice at 20 and 40 DAS. Next best treatment was pendimethalin + imazethapyr (ready mix) 1.0 kg/ha PE fb manual weeding at 30 DAS in terms of lower weed density and biomass, higher weed control efficiency and herbicide efficiency index. The groundnut pod (2.12 t/ha) and haulm yield (3.89 t/ha) were highest with manual weeding twice at 20-40 DAS. All the weed management treatments did not influence the oil content. The highest net returns ( 36033 /ha) and B: C ratio (1.57) were obtained with pendimethalin 1.0 kg/ha PE fb imazethapyr 75 g/ha post-emergence application (PoE) at 20 DAS. 

Fruit yield, Mulching, Papaya, Rice straw, Weed control

Rice occupies a pivotal place in Indian agriculture. Its production leads to generation of excessive rice straw. Since straw is not utilized much, it is subjected to burning in fields causing serious environmental pollution, loss of nutrients and adverse effects on beneficial soil micro-organisms. This study conducted in Punjab Agricultural University, Ludhiana reports the effectiveness of rice straw mulching material on weed control, yield enhancement and quality improvement in Papaya (Var. Red lady 786). Woven mulch mats of rice straw resulted in significant reduction in weed density of broad-leaved weeds as well as grasses as compared to control besides improving fruit height (26.3%), fruit yield (31.7%), fruit colour, TSS and carotenoids in papaya. Furthermore, the biodegradable woven mulch has the capability to control weeds for 315 days i.e. the entire vegetative as well as fruiting period in papaya. 

Chandrashoor, Fenoxaprop-p-buty, Imazethapyr, Medicinal plant, Post-emergence, Quizalofop-p-ethyl, Weed management

The field experiment was conducted during winter seasons (Rabi) of 2018-19 and 2019-20 at Agricultural Research Station, Navgaon (Alwar), S.K.N Agriculture University, Jobner, Jaipur (Rajasthan) India, to identify effective and economic weed management practices in standing Chandrashoor (Lepidium sativum Linn.) crop. The soil of experimental field was sandy loam in texture, low in organic carbon, low in available nitrogen, medium in phosphorus and potassium with alkali in pH. The experiment was laid out in a randomized block design with seven treatments and replicated thrice. The crop was sown as per the package of practices recommended for zone IIIB of Rajasthan. The treatments tested incudes: post-emergence application (PoE) of quizalofop-p-ethyl 50 g/ha, fenoxaprop-p-butyl 100 g/ha, imazethapyr 75 g/ha, imazethapyr (35%) + imazamox (35%) (ready-mix) 100 g/ha, imazethapyr (2%) + pendimethalin (30%) (ready-mix) 2.5 kg/ha; weedy check and weed free. The fenoxaprop-p-butyl 100g/ha PoE recorded significantly higher seed yield of 678 kg/ha in 2018-19 and 693 kg/ha in 2019-20 due to greater weed suppression and lowest weed index. It was at par with quizalofop-p-ethyl 50 g/ha PoE at 30 DAS. However, weed free, by hand weeding twice, recorded higher seed yield and was significantly superior economically over the rest of the weed management treatments.

Plants biodiversity, Bhadrak district, Edible weeds, Rice fields, Ethnomedicine

The aim of this study was to compile an inventory of the weeds in a rice ecosystem as livelihood support to farmers of Bhadrak district, Odisha, India. Information was collected from 165 local inhabitants during 2017-2019, using standard procedures. In the rice fields, altogether 37 plant species belonging to 30 genera and 24 families were recorded. Amaranthaceae was the dominant family. The systematic documentation of the weed flora in the Bhadrak district showed that the area is rich in plants with edible, fodder and ethnomedicinal value and that the inhabitants of the area had significant knowledge about the use of such plants.  Ethnobotanical indices like relative frequencies of citation (RFC) and use value (UV) were calculated for each of the recorded weeds. The commonly used weed/plant species are: Ipomoea aquatica Forssk. (UV: 0.588) and Glinus oppositifolius (L.) Aug. DC. (UV: 0.576) as vegetables; Echinochloa crus-galli (L.) P.Beauv. (UV: 0.552) and Echinochloa stagnina (Retz) P. Beauv. (UV: 0.527) as fodder; Centella asiatica (L.) Urb. (UV: 0.41) followed by Bacopa monnieri (L.) Penn.( UV: 0.37) and Commelina benghalensis L. (UV: 0.364) for medicinal purposes. The leaves of the herbaceous plant/weed species are the most used by farmers. The reported ethnomedical wisdom of farmers could contribute to basic primary health care and balanced diets for the benefit of local farming community posterity.

Economics, Herbicides, Upland rice, Weed management

Weeds cause drastic reduction of rice yield and quality. The weeds problem is more severe in upland rice system. The efficiency and economics of different weed management treatments on weed dynamics, yield and economics of upland rice were evaluated by carrying out field experiment during rainy season of 2017 at NARC research station, Dasarathpur, Surkhet, Nepal. The experiment consisted of six treatments, viz: control, farmers’ practice of hand weeding (HW) twice at15 and 30 days after seeding (DAS), manually running dry land weeder twice 15 and 30 DAS, one HW at 15 DAS fb bispyribac-sodium post-emergence application (PoE) at 0.4 g/ha 30 DAS, pre-emergence application (PE) of pendimethalin 1.5 g/ha fb 1 HW 15 DAS and pendimethalin PE at 1.5 g/ha fb bispyribac-sodium PoE 0.4 g/ha 15 DAS, were tested in one factor RCBD design with four replications. Pendimethalin PE 1.5 g/ha fb bispyribac-sodium PoE 0.4 g/ha 15 DAS was found to be most efficient and economical weed management option in upland rice with the highest rice grain yield (2.63 t/ha), net returns and B:C ratio.

Finger millet, Pyrazosulfuron-ethyl, Penoxsulam, Weed control, Yield

A field experiment was conducted during Rabi (winter season), 2020-21 at wetland farm of S.V. Agricultural College, Tirupati campus of Acharya N.G. Ranga Agricultural University, Andhra Pradesh, India to identify suitable pre-and post-emergence herbicide for managing weeds and enhancing productivity and profitability of transplanted finger millet. The hand weeding (HW) twice at 20 and 40 days after transplanting (DAT) resulted in lower density and biomass with higher weed control efficiency, grain yield, and benefit-cost ratio. It was closely followed by pre-emergence application (PE) of pretilachlor 500 g/ha or pyrazosulfuron-ethyl 15 g/ha. Post-emergence application (PoE) of penoxsulam 20 g/ha resulted in higher grain yield and benefit-cost ratio with broad-spectrum weed control among the post-emergence herbicides. The weeds in unweeded check reduced the grain yield by 64.39% compared to HW twice.

Fomesafen, Greengram, Hand weeding, Herbicides, Imazethapyr, Propaquizafop, Weed management

A field experiment was conducted at field unit of AICRP on Agro-forestry, University of Agricultural Sciences, GKVK, Bengaluru during Kharif (rainy season) 2018 to study the effect of different post-emergence herbicides on weeds, crop yield and economics of Kharif greengram. Eleven treatments including the application of three post-emergence herbicides (fomesafen, propaquizafop and imazethapyr) and their combinations at 25 days after seeding (DAS), hand weeding (HW) twice at 15 and 30 DAS, weed free check and un-weeded control were replicated thrice in randomized complete block design. The post-emergence application (PoE) of fomesafen + propaquizafop 294 + 91 g/ha and fomesafen + propaquizafop 252 + 78 g/ha resulted in significantly lower weed biomass at 45 DAS (11.65 and 12.78 g/m2, respectively) and at harvest (15.59 and 18.69 g/m2, respectively) due to reduced weed density at 45 DAS (21.5 and 23.4 no./m2, respectively) and at harvest (15.90 and 18.01 no./m2, respectively). These treatments have recorded higher weed control efficiency and lower weed index (71.6%, 6.21% and 69.09%, 10.73%, respectively). Among the various herbicide treatments, significantly, highest greengram seed yield (1058 kg/ha) was recorded with post-emergence application of fomesafen + propaquizafop 294 + 91 g/ha. 

Groundnut, Diclosulam, Pre-plant incorporation, Weed management

The efficacy of diclosulam herbicide in managing weeds and improve groundnut yield was tested in this study on weed management in groundnut (Arachis hypogaea L.). The diclosulam pre-plant incorporation (PPI) and pre-emergence application (PE) significantly reduced the sedges density. The diclosulam 27 g/ha PE followed by (fb) hand weeding (HW) at 50 days after seeding (DAS) recorded highest weed control efficiency (80.44%) and lowest (92) weed density (number /m2) at 80 DAS. Number of groundnut pods per plant and pod yield was significantly higher with   diclosulam  27 g/ha PE fb HW at 50 DAS and also gave the highest net return of  1,07,335/ha and B:C ratio of 2.32 followed by  hand weeding twice at 30 DAS and 50 DAS and diclosulam 27 g/ha PPI  fb HW at 50 DAS. 

Chickpea, Imazethapyr, Mechanical weeding, Oxyfluorfen, Pendimethalin

A field experiment was conducted at Agricultural Research Institute, Main Farm, Professor Jayashankar Telangana State Agriculture University, Rajendranagar, Hyderabad, India during Rabi (winter season) 2020 to evaluate the efficacy of herbicides in chickpea (Cicer arietinum L.) variety ‘JG-11’. The experiment was conducted in RBD with three replications. The application of pendimethalin 30% EC + imazethapyr 2% EC (ready mix [RM]) 1.0 kg/ha as pre-emergence application (PE) followed by (fb) mechanical weeding at 30 days after seeding (DAS) recorded lowest weed density and biomass at 20 and 40 DAS. Pendimethalin 1.0 kg/ha PE fb mechanical weeding at 20 and 40 DAS, oxyfluorfen 140 g/ha PE fb mechanical weeding at 20 and 40 DAS, pendimethalin + imazethapyr (RM) 1.0 kg/ha PE fb mechanical weeding at 30 DAS registered 1.95, 1.94 and 2.08 t/ha seed yield, respectively as against seed yield of 1.11 t/ha in weedy check. The maximum net returns of  72093/ha were recorded in pendimethalin + imazethapyr (RM) 1.0 kg/ha PE fb mechanical weeding at 30 DAS with B-C ratio of 3.27, which was closely followed by oxyfluorfen 140 g/ha PE fb mechanical weeding at 20 and 40 DAS with net returns of  64980/ha and B:C ratio of 2.99.

Clodinafop, Hand weeding, Herbicides, Integrated weed management, Pendimethalin, Mustard

A field experiment was conducted in the experimental farm of Department of Agriculture, Himgiri Zee University, Dehradun, Uttarakhand, India during winter season (Rabi) 2018-19. The experiment was conducted in randomized block design (RBD) with 7 treatments, viz. pre-emergence application (PE) of pendimethalin 750 g/ha, pendimethalin 750 g/ha PE followed by (fb) one hand weeding (HW) at 30 days after seeding (DAS), post-emergence application of (PoE) clodinafop 60 g/ha, clodinafop 60 g/ha (PoE) fb one hand weeding (HW) 60 days after seeding (DAS), hand weeding twice at 30 and 60 DAS, weed free and weedy check. All the weed control treatments significantly reduced the weed density and biomass. Hand weeding twice at 30 and 60 DAS recorded highest weed control efficiency and minimum weed index. The integrated weed management treatment including pendimethalin 750 g/ha PE fb 1 HW was superior than other treatments in recording highest plant height, plant population, dry matter, seed/siliqua, siliqua/plant, length of siliqua, seed weight, seed, stover and biological yield of Indian mustard. 

Dried banana leaf, Ladies-finger, Mechanical weeding, Mulching, Non-chemical weed control, Wheel hoe weeder

A field experiment was conducted at Coconut Research Station, Balaramapuram, Thiruvananthapuram, India during winter (Rabi) season of 2020-21 to study the effect of stale seedbed and different non-chemical weed management practices on weed control in ladies-finger. The experiment was conducted in randomized block design with treatment combination of two methods of seedbed preparation and six methods of weed management. . Stale and non-stale seedbed were two seedbed preparation methods. Six non-chemical weed management treatments were tested. The uncontrolled weed growth caused 59.20% reduction in fruit yield in ladies-finger, locally called okra. Compared to non-stale seedbed, stale seedbed registered significantly lower weed density (35.67 no./m2) and biomass (7.81 g/m2) and significantly higher weed control efficiency (WCE) (81.13%), fruits per plant (36.5) and fruit yield (3.29 t/ha), higher net return ( 54520/ha) and B:C ratio (1.69). Among different non-chemical weed management practices, the mechanical weeding with wheel hoe weeder (MWHW) at 15, 30 and 45 DAS recorded the lowest total weed density (26.67 no./m2) and biomass (2.54 g/m2); and the highest WCE (93.86%), number of fruits/plant (38.8), fruit weight (6.98/g), fruit yield (4.41 t/ha), higher net return ( 97804/ha) and B:C ratio (2.25). Interaction between seedbed preparation and weed management practice was found to be significant only for absolute density of broad-leaved weeds (BLW), weed biomass and WCE. Among seedbed preparation, stale seedbed can be recommended for reducing the weed density and biomass in ladies-finger. The mechanical weeding with wheel hoe thrice at 15, 30 and 45 DAS can be recommended as a cost-effective weed management to attain higher weed control efficiency, ladies-finger yield and net returns in ladies-finger.

Allelopathy, Leaves aqueous extract, Echnichloa cruss-galli, Seed germination, , Weed mortality

Echinochloa crus-galli (L.) Beauv is the most frequently reported troublesome weed in rice fields as it is aggressive, difficult to control and reduces rice yields significantly. An experiment was conducted during 2021 with an objective to assess the allelopathic effect of ten trees’ leaves aqueous extracts on the seed germination and seedling growth of E. cruss-galli. Leaves of ten tree species were separately dried and the aqueous extracts of each of them were diluted to obtain the three concentrations i.e. 5, 10 and 15% of each. Three concentrates of each of the tree leaves extract were used as treatments. The 15% concentration of the leaves extracts of all tree species exhibited highest efficacy in reducing germination and growth of E. crus-galli. Amongst all tree species studied, Aegle marmelos (L.) Corrêa tree leaves aqueous extract, at all concentrations caused greater allelopathic effect and maximum seedling root and shoot inhibition with lowest vigour index and seedling weight of E. crus-galli.