The Allelopathic Effect on Triticum aestivum of Different Extracts of Leucaena leucocephala

Abstract

This paper addresses the allelopathic influence of Leucaena leucocephala Lam de Wit. on seed germination and seedling growth of Triticum aestivum under laboratory conditions. The studies exhibited that aqueous extract of fresh leaf, flower and pod stimulated the seed germination and seedling growth of T aestivum at lower concentrations and inhibited significantly at higher concentrations. The decomposed leaves extract also followed the same trend. Mimosine concentration was estimated in fresh leaves, flowers, pods and decomposed leaves and it was maximum in pods and minimum in decomposed leaves. The results revealed that maximum inhibition was due to aqueous extract of pod and least by decomposed leaves. It revealed that the mimosine at lower concentrations enhanced the seed germination and seedling growth in T aestivum and inhibit at the higher concentrations.