Studies on the Allelopathic effects of two Social Forestry trees On Triticum aestivum var Lok1

Both the social forestry trees, Cassia siamea Lam and Melia azedarach Linn, promoted the later stages of growth of wheat (T. aestivum var. Lok1), though the leaves of M.azedarach tree inhibited germination and seedling growth. Flowering and fruiting of the crop also were promoted by leaves of both trees. Of the two groups of allelochemicals, flavonoids and phenolic acids, former was more in leaves of Melia and latter in Cassia. Melia leaves decomposed faster and left more residual phenolics in soil especially in summer. Leaf manure of both Cassia and Melia can be used for wheat cultivation, though the latter plant has to be avoided in the early stages of growth.