Allelopathic activity of aqueous extracts of monkey tail leaf on the germination and early growth of lettuce seedlings

Abstract

This work aimed to evaluate the allelopathic action of aqueous leaf extracts monkey tail on the germination and early growth of lettuce. The concentrations were 0; 2; 4 and 8%. We evaluated the germination, the speed index and germination rate, the length of the hypocoyl and radicle, the total dry mass and water content. The speed index and germination rate was reduced by increasing the extract concentration of fresh and dry leaves. The radicle length was reduced by increasing the concentration of the extract, with more drastic effect on lettuce seedlings of the action of dry leaves extracts. The hypocotyl length of seedlings, under the action of fresh leaves extract, increased with concentration. The seedling dry mass, for both fresh and dry leaves extract, was reduced on concentration 8% of the extract. The water content was affected by the extract of fresh leaves from the 4% concentration. The aqueous extract of fresh and dry leaves of monkey tail, affect differently the germination and early growth of lettuce seedlings, being more drastic inhibitory results exercised by extract of dry leaves and higher concentrations.