Allelopathy of forage species on germination and peroxidase activity in lettuce

Abstract

Allelopathy is defined as the inhibitory or beneficial effect, direct or indirect, of one plant to another. Thus, it was conducted in the laboratory and under completely randomized design, a bioassay with the aim of evaluating the effect of aqueous extracts, obtained by infusion of dried leaves of oat (Avena sativa cv. IPR 126), pigeon pea (Cajanus cajan cv. Mandarin), ryegrass (Lolium multiflorum) and braquiaria (Brachiaria brizantha cv. Marandu), on the germination, content of cellular protein and peroxidase activity of lettuce (Lactuca sativa). The extracts of pigeon pea and oats reduced germination, which oats had higher allelopathic effect, delaying and reducing the emergence of lettuce seedings. To these treatments also was observed the lower peroxidase activity. The extracts of ryegrass and braquiaria did not show allelopathic effect on germination and enzyme activity of lettuce seedlings.