Allelopathic effect of aqueous extracts of Eucalyptus globulus Labill. and of Casearia sylvestris Sw. on crops

Abstract

Allelopathy is characterized by the harmful or benefic effects caused by secondary metabolites, that are produced by plants, microorganisms or fungi and are released in the environment, on the development of natural biological systems or implemented ones. This study aimed to evaluate the allelopathic effects of aqueous extracts of eucalypt (Eucalyptus globulus Labill.) and wild coffee (Casearia sylvestris Sw.) on the germination and initial development of mustard (Brassica campestris L.), cabbage (Brassica oleracea L. cv. capitata), broccoli (Brassica oleracea L. cv. italica), kale (Brassica pekinensis L.), lettuce (Lactuca sativa L. cv. grand rapids), tomato (Lycopersicum esculentum Miller), turnip (Brassica rapa L.), rucola (Eruca sativa L.) and radish (Raphanus sativus L.). Six concentrations of each aqueous extract were tested (10, 30, 50, 70, 90 and 100%) and compared to control (distilled water), with five replicates of each concentration, being ten seeds of each crop distributed in each replicate. The aqueous extracts of E. globulus and C. sylvestris reduced significantly the percentage of seed germination, the index of germination speed and the initial growth of the above ground part and roots of all cultivated species, being the reduction of these parameters higher with the increment of the aqueous extracts concentration, which led to thicker and atrophied roots with a higher number of absorbent hairs. Therefore, the results indicate an existence of allelopathic potential of E. globulus and C. sylvestris.