Journal of Food, Agriculture and Environment

Allelopathic influence of the aqueous extract of jatropha on lettuce (Lactuca sativa var. Grand Rapids) germination and development

Author(s):

Karina Sanderson *, Reinaldo Aparecido Bariccatti, Cornélio Primieri, Octávio Henrique Viana, Clair Aparecida Viecelli, Helmuth Guilherme Bleil Junior

Recieved Date: 2012-10-22, Accepted Date: 2013-01-28

Abstract:

Allelopathy is defined as the capacity that a specific plant has of directly or indirectly interfering in another one’s metabolism, by liberating chemical compounds elaborated by itself in the environment, influencing in plant domination, plant community formation and  vegetation climax, as well as in the productivity and handling of cultures. The objective of this work was to assess the allelopathic effect of the aqueous extract of jatropha (Jatropha curcas L.), at different concentrations, over the germination of seeds, aerial and radicular part of lettuce (Lactuca sativa L.) variety ‘Grand Rapids’, which is considered a bioindicator species. The experiment was carried out at CEDETEC (Center of Diffusion and Development of Technologies) of Assis Gurgacz College (FAG), Cascavel, Paraná, Brazil, during April 2012. Each treatment was applied to four replications with thirty-two lettuce seeds, totalizing 128 seeds per treatment. Grand Rapids seeds were sown in specific trays for the production of lettuce seedlings containing 28 cells, and kept in a greenhouse with micro-sprinkler irrigation. The aqueous extract of jatropha was made by milling leaves in a blender at the concentration of 200 g L^-1, strained and vacuum filtered, what provided extract concentration of 20%. That extract was diluted in distilled water for lower concentrations of 15%, 10%, 5%, 1% and 0% (control). Twenty-four hours after sowing, the number of germinated seeds subjected to different concentrations of the extract was analyzed daily, for ten days. The length of the primary root and the aerial part of five lettuce seedlings were also verified by replication on the tenth day after the beginning of the experiment. Comparison between treatment averages was performed with the application of Tukey’s test, at 5% of probability. The results in the experimental conditions adopted indicate that the extract of jatropha leaves does not present allelopathic effect on the germination of lettuce seeds, but at 15% concentration, it significantly inhibits the development of the aerial and radicular part.

Keywords:

Jatropha (Jatropha curcas L.), germination, allelopathy, concentration, metabolism, lettuce

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Journal: Journal of Food, Agriculture and Environment
Year: 2013
Volume: 11
Issue: 1
Category: Agriculture
Pages: 641-643

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