ALLELOPATHIC EFFECTS OF EUCALYPTUS (EUCALYPTUS CAMALDULENSIS DEHNH.) AQUEOUS LEAF LITTER EXTRACT ON THE GROWTH OF WHEAT (TRITICUM AESTIVUM L.) AND REGULATION BY FARMYARD MANURE.

Abstract

Survey has highlighted the significance of hand washing and also indicated the knowledge and practices among 250 mothers between the age group 22-35 in belong to Karachi, the cosmopolitan city of Pakistan by direct filling of questionnaire and short interviews. The results of the survey indicated that 24% were also not aware that gastroenteritis and diaherral diseases can be transmitted to their kids due to their improper hand washing practices. Similarly, about 6% were reported of washing hands frequently each day and 72% spend hardly less than a minute in this activity. In addition to this, among interviewed mothers 60% responded washing hands with soap as compared to the 32% and 40% wash with some detergents and plain water respectively. Moreover, 56% mothers were found to have long nails and about 40% of them had dirt in them. In interview, 16% were found only educating their kids about hand washing procedures and 72% of the mothers were in favour of introducing a course of hand hygiene for school going kids.

Eucalyptus camaldulensis leaf litter generally has inhibitory effects on crop growth due release of allelochemicals. This influence was studied by examining seed germination and seedling growth of wheat (Triticum aestivum L.). Allelopathic effect of E. camaldulensis was subjected by the application of different concentrations of aqueous leachate of Eucalyptus leaf litter. The given research also evaluates the biocontrol of Eucalyptus camaldulensis allelopathic effect by combining the litter leachate with different concentrations of farmyard manure (FYM). It was found that E.camaldulensis leaf litter extract (leachate) significantly reduced shoot length and shoot and root fresh and dry weight of wheat. However, a combined effect of litter and FYM extract markedly reduced the inhibitory effects of leachate and thus increased the growth of wheat. These results suggested that if the studied crop has to be cultivated in an agricultural land surrounded by E. camaldulensis tree, the possible growth rate could be supported by the application of farmyard manure. But in the absence of this support, the plant growth was significantly arrested due to allelopathic effect of E. camaldulensis leaf litter.