Phytotoxic activity of crude methanolic extract of Euphorbia prostrata collected from Bannu District (Pakistan)

Abstract

Phytotoxic activity of crude methanolic extract of Euphorbia prostrata from Euphorbiacae was tested on the germination of wheat seeds and on the growth of the germinated seedlings. In both the field and plate studies, the extract showed inhibitory effect on the germination of the growth of root and shoot of the seedlings. The inhibition was found to be dose dependent. The higher concentration of 1000 μg/ml showed maximum inhibitory effect on the growth of root and shoots in the studies of plate as well as on fresh and dry weight of wheat plant. Similarly, the herbicidal activity is also dependent on the concentration of extract. In this study, it was found that inhibitory potential of methanolic extract of E. prostrata increases as1000 >100 >10 μg/ml.

Key words: Phytotoxic activity, herbicidal activity, germination, plates and field studies, Euphorbia prostrate.