SEARCH FOR ALLELOPATHIC POTENTIAL OF LEAVES OF SHOREA ROBUSTA GAERTN.F

Sal forests generally have poor undergrowth. This might be due to release of certain allelochemicals from plant parts of Shorea robusta by leaching, exudation, volatilization and decomposition. The present study is maiden attempt to evaluate the nature of allelopathy. For this,leaf leachet of Shorea robusta was analysed to find out its effect on seed germination of Eupatorium odoratum(associated weed) and Brassica campestris (crop). Initial result indicates sharp decrease in seed germination of both plants. Moreover,a characteristic inverse correlation between mitotic index and leachate concentration. was observed The above findings point to the strong inhibitory effect of phytochemicals of Shorea robusta leaf leachet. An overall growth parameters of its neighbouring plant species in sal forest ecosystem in both dry (laentic) and biomass rich location.