African Journal of
Agricultural Research

  • Abbreviation: Afr. J. Agric. Res.
  • Language: English
  • ISSN: 1991-637X
  • DOI: 10.5897/AJAR
  • Start Year: 2006
  • Published Articles: 6893

Full Length Research Paper

Allelopathic influence of the aqueous extract of Jatropha curcas L. leaves on wild Cichorium intybus

Paulo André Cremonez*, Armin Feiden, Reginaldo Ferreira Santos, Doglas Bassegio, Eduardo Rossi, Willian Cézar Nadaleti, Jhonatas Antonelli and Fabiola Tomassoni
UNIOESTE – Western Paraná State University – Post graduation Program, Master Course of Energy in Agriculture. Street Universitária, 2069, CEP: 85.819-130 Faculdade, Cascavel, PR, Brazil.
Email: [email protected]

  •  Accepted: 04 December 2013
  •  Published: 19 December 2013

Abstract

The communication presents an evaluation of the allelopathic effect of the aqueous extract of physic nut (Jatropha curcas L.) leaves on the early development of wild chicory (Cichorium intybus) seedlings. The experiment was performed in Palotina City, State of Paraná, Brazil. The physic nut leaves were harvested and then crushed in a blender using the proportion of 1 L of distilled water for each 200 g of leaves resulting in a crude extract of 100%. The experiments were conducted in 6 trials with 8 repetitions. The dilutions of 80, 40, 20, 10, 5 and 0% (only distilled water) were made using the crude extract. Data was subjected to statistical analysis (regression at 1% of probability). Aqueous extract of physic nut leaves showed an inhibitory allelopathic effect on the development of wild chicory (sugarloaf variety) which increased with enhanced concentration, presenting negative linear tendency, except for the variable fresh weight of shoots.

Key words: Jatropha curcas L., Cichorium intybus, allelopathy.