Environmental Impact on Biomass and Allelopathic Effect of Cenchrus ciliaris.L

The study was conducted at the GEER foundation, Gandhinagar, India to evaluate environmental impact on biomass production of Cenchrus ciliaris.L (buffel grass) and its allelopathic effect on Dichanthium annulatum and Sehima nervosum. These grasses were grown in separate plots and also in combination. Growth parameters which were studied for all sets were Shoot length, Above Ground Biomass (AGB), Below Ground Biomass (BGB) and number of leaves and meteorological data were also recorded. It was observed that C.ciliaris could survive through extreme climate and Dichanthium annulatum and Sehima nervosum could not flourish in the presence of Cenchrus ciliaris, which resulted in the maximum biomass of Cenchrus ciliaris. The effect of different seasons on biomass of Cenchrus ciliaris was observed over a year. Statistical analysis of the data showed significant variation in biomass.