A Dissertation Submitted in Partial Fulfilment of the Requirements for the Degree of Master’s in Life Sciences of the Nelson Mandela African Institution of Science and Technology
This study aimed at studying the suppressive effects of Sorghum bicolor, Tagetes erictus Amaranthus spinous and Sorghum arundinaceum and Cassia tora on germination and development of Parthenium hysteroporus L. under controlled experiments from March 2018 to November 2018 in Arusha Tanzania. Two experiments involving seed-seed interaction and effects of plant extract on carrot-weed were established. Results showed that seeds of S. bicolor, T. erictus A. spinous and S. arundinaceum showed strong inhibition effects (p<0.001) on Parthenium hysteroporus L. seed germination, biomass, plant height and root length. Similarly, the results from the plant extracts at 25% to 100% (v/v) concentration of A. Indica, T. erictus, A. spinous and S. bicolor inhibited germination rate, shoot and root length elongation, fresh and dry biomass of Parthenium weed. These findings provides basis towards developing an effective alternative eco-friendly approach and bio-herbicide for managing Parthenium weed in Tanzania.