Allelopathy Studies in Coconut Based Cropping System

Green house studies on the effect of coconut root and leaf leachate on the growth and rhizosphere microbial activity of pepper cutting and nutmeg graft indicated that the rhizosphere microorganisms played a critical role in overcoming the possible allelopathic effects of the coconut leachates on the growth of these spices crops. Vermiwash (allelochemical extracted from coconut leaf vermicompost) significantly improved soil microbial activity and growth parameters of nutmeg. The effect of coconut leachate at different concentrations was tested in vitro against the efficient diazotrophs and PGPRs, which are under field experimental trials in coconut crop. The coconut root and leaf leachates at three concentrations 1:0, 1:1 and 1:10 showed antibacterial allelopathic properties against the diazotrophs tested, particularly the Herbaspirillum frisingense.