Effect of Morus alba L. leaf extracts on seeds germination and the seedlings growth of Sinapis alba L. and Cucumis sativus L.

Abstract

Plant growth and development can be modified, including modification by chemical processes that result from neighbouring plants. If interactions in the natural environment between one plant and another are of a chemical nature, then this phenomenon is called allelopathy. The aim of the study was to determine the effect of aqueous extracts of Morus alba L., at concentrations of 3%, 5% and 10%, on the germination and growth of Sinapis alba L. (mustard) and Cucumis sativus L. (cucumber). It was found that allelopathins contained in the extracts slowed the germination of both species. The highest, 10%, extracts significantly inhibited germination. It was found that with an increase in allelopathin concentration, there was a significant inhibition of the growth of underground and above-ground plant organs. A complete lack of growth was observed for mustard plants grown from seeds watered with extracts during germination for 48 hours. Compared to the control plants, a differences in the growth of fresh and dry mass in plants watered with extracts during the germination and growth phases were found. Depending on the timing of treatment and the type of organ tested, aqueous mulberry leaf extracts at lower concentrations had a positive effect on the growth and development of the analysed species. Extracts with a higher concentration of chemical compounds had a negative impact on both mustard and cucumber.

Germination and growth of radish under influence of nipplewort aqueous extracts

“…Understanding the mutual competition between crops and weeds is possible by comparing the effects of their interaction. This is revealed, for example, in the morphological features of the crop's plants (Biel-Parzymięso, 2020). Changes in the elongation of three radish cultivars expressed as the IP index indicated the effect of extracts from L. communis subsp.…”

“…At the current stage of allelopathic studies, it is assumed that allelochemical compounds co-occurring in the extracts interact not only with the germination capacity of seeds and seedling growth, but also with changes in biomass production (Cheng and Cheng, 2015;Biel-Parzymięso, 2020). In the studies of L. communis subsp.…”

Wider Use of Honey Plants in Farming: Allelopathic Potential of Phacelia tanacetifolia Benth.

“…In the case of a dry mass of seedlings, the opposite tendency was observed (Table 4). Allelochemicals can change the content of plant growth regulators or cause imbalances in various phytohormones, which inhibits plant development and consequently affects seedling mass parameters, e.g., [59,60]. Most phenolic allelochemicals can, for example, stimulate IAA oxidase activity and inhibit the reaction of POD (peroxidase) with IAA (indoleacetic acid), bound GA (gibberellins), or IAA, to affect endogenous hormone levels [61].…”