Allelopathic effects of rige crop residue on wheat and mustard

There are many reports of allelopathic effects of rice and its residue from important rice growing countries like China, Japan, Tiwan and Phillipines. In Punjab after harvest of rice, its stubbles are burned to properly prepare the field for succeeding wheat crop causing environmental pollution and health problems. It is recommended that the crop residue of rice be incorporated into soil to maintain eco-friendly environment. Laboratory and pot studies were conducted to see the allelopathic effect of rice crop residue on wheat and mustard crops. The results indicated that rice residue and its leachates had inhibitory effects on germination and early seedling growth of wheat and mustard. The root growth of these was more sensitive than shoot growth. The soil on which rice crop was raised also exerted inhibitory effect on early seedling growth of wheat and mustard. The study indicated allelopathic property of rice straw and its leachates.