Phytotoxic effects of leaf leachates of an invasive weed Cassia uniflora and Characterization of its Allelochemical

ABSTRACT Cassia uniflora Mill. Non Spreng. a dominant invasive weed from Ganeshkhind area has affected the phytodiversity of Pune University campus (M.S., India). Its leaf leachates inhibited seed germination and seedling growth in test crops like tomato and brinjal at all the concentrations indicating their phytotoxic nature. However, maximum inhibition was recorded at higher concentrations (17.5 -20%). The allelopathic leaf leachates had also adversely influenced the seedling physiology in both the vegetables. Hence to investigate its phytotoxic nature, isolation and characterization of allelochemicals in it, was undertaken. The leaf samples of Cassia showed the presence of a branched chain saturated aliphatic ester (C 16 H 32 O 2 ) which is Dodecane-4yl -butyrate