Abstract
The aim of this work was to compare the allelopathic effects of aqueous leaf extracts from Cryptocarya moschata and Ocotea odorifera on the seed germination and initial growth of Lactuca sativa (lettuce). The extracts were prepared by cold maceration, which was accomplished by adding distilled water to the dried plant material 1:10 (w v-1) and grinding. The treatment concentrations (0, 0.25, 0.5, 0.75 and 1%) were obtained by dissolving the dried crude extract in distilled water. The allelopathic potential of the dried Ocotea odorifera and Cryptocarya moschata leaves on Lactuca sativa was observed through reduction of the percentage of seeds that germinated, the index of germination and the length of the roots as well as structural abnormalities in L. sativa seedlings. For both extracts, the extract concentration and allelopathic effect were highly correlated. However, the C. moschata extract had no effect on caulicle length at the different tested concentrations.
Highlights
The term allelopathy refers to the capacity of either superior or inferior plants to release a substance to their immediate environment that modulates the development of other plant species (FRITZ et al, 2007; GATTI et al, 2004; RICE, 1984)
Taking into account the lack of work on the allelopathic properties of C. moschata, this work is aimed at comparing the allelopathic effects of Cryptocarya moschata and Ocotea odorifera aqueous leaf extracts on the germination and initial development of Lactuca sativa
Lettuce germination was significantly affected by the aqueous extracts of C. moschata and O. odorifera
Summary
The term allelopathy refers to the capacity of either superior or inferior plants to release a substance to their immediate environment that modulates the development of other plant species (FRITZ et al, 2007; GATTI et al, 2004; RICE, 1984). When absorbed by the roots and transported throughout the whole plant, the allelochemical substances may act on cell division; the stretching, permeability and ultra-structure of cells; membrane permeability; hormone-driven mechanisms of growth induction; protein synthesis; and lipid and organic acid metabolism. Physiological phenomena such as the opening and closing of the stomata, photosynthesis and respiration may be affected by allelopathic compounds. These compounds, which can be found in the soil, might interfere in nutrient absorption (FERREIRA; ÁQUILA, 2000; GOLDFARB et al, 2009)
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