Allelopathic Effects of Aqueous Extracts of Mucuna Pruriens (L.) DC (Velvet Bean) on Seed Germination and Plant Growth of Amaranthus Cruentus L. in Ibadan, Nigeria

Abstract

Allelopathy is useful in facets of plant ecology such as occurrence, dominance, diversity and plant productivity. Mucuna pruriens is characterised as one of the strongest allelopathic plants Therefore, the effects of aqueous extracts of M. puriens extract on seed germination and plant growth of Amaranthus cruentus L. were investigated in Ibadan, Nigeria. Aqueous Shoot Extract-ASE and Aqueous Root Extract-ARE of 8-week-old Mucuna pruriens at 0, 25, 50, 75 and 100% concentrations were applied to Amaranthus cruentus seeds (n=50) in Petri dishes and Germination Percentage (GP) was determined at day seven. Also, the treatments were applied to Amaranthus cruentus plants in pots, and Plant Height (PH; cm) and Leaf Area (LA; cm2) were determined at six Weeks After Sowing. All experiments were arranged in completely randomized design (r=3). Data were analysed using ANOVA at α0.05. The GP of Amaranthus cruentus seeds ranged from 13.3±1.67% (100ASE) to 31.7±1.67% (25ASE), and from 13.3±3.33% (100ARE) to 28.3±1.67% (50ARE), which were significantly lower than control (68.3±1.67%). The A. cruentus plants treated with 100ASE and 100ARE had PH of 30.93±1.32 cm and 30.46±0.70 cm respectively, and LA of 48.07±0.67 cm2 and 50.48±3.08 cm2 respectively, which were significantly higher than control (PH2-2.20±2.05 cm and LA-38.54±1.62 cm2). Aqueous extracts of Mucuna pruriens inhibited seed germination but stimulated the growth of Amaranthus cruentus plants

Keywords

• Weed management
• Inhibition
• Stimulation
• Legume
• Velvet bean
• Extracts

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