European Journal of Biomedical and Pharmaceutical Sciences

EFFECT OF AQUATIC PLANT EXTRACT ON THE GROWTH OF MAIZE (ZEA MAYS) AND CHICKPEA (CICER ARIETINUM)

N. A. Nerlekar, D. A. Malvekar, S. S. Jangam and A. U. Sutar*

ABSTRACT

In present study, pot experiment was carried to study the effect of aqueous extract of Hydrilla verticillata and Eichhornia crassipes on seed germination and growth of maize (Zea mays) and chickpea (Cicer arietinum). Aqueous extract of Hydrilla verticillata and Eichhornia crassipes significantly increases germination and growth of maize and chickpea. Maize shoot showed higher growth at 50% conc. of Ecchornia extract whereas chickpea shoot length was observed higher growth at conc. 30 % as compared to that of control. At higher concentration it inhibits the growth and couldn’t get better results. Also, at 10% of Hydrilla extract chickpea shoot and root length observed higher growth whereas it also showed increase in shoot length for maize as compared to other concentration. So plant extract like Hydrilla verticillata and Eichhornia crassipes can be used as a liquid biofertilizer for plants. The extract did not showed any effect on the growth of microorganisms present in soil.Soil treatment showed better growth of shoot and root length.

Keywords: Aquatic plant extract, maize, chickpea, Hydrilla verticillata, Eichhornia crassipes.