Programa de Pos-Graduacao em Ecologia e Recursos Naturais, Universidade Federal de Sao Carlos, Via Washington Luiz, Km 235, C. Postal 676, CEP 13565-905, Sao Carlos, SP, Brazil.
*E-mail: periotto.f@zipmail.com.br
Acta Botanica Brasilica
The objective of this study was to evaluate the allelopathic effects of stems and leaves of Andira humilis [Andira laurifolia] in the germination and growth of radish and lettuce. For the germination experiments, aqueous extracts of stems and leaves of A. humilis at 0, 4, 8, 12 and 16% (w/v) were prepared. The extracts at 8, 12 and 16% (w/v) reduced lettuce and radish seed germination rate, extracts of stems at 100% reduced the percentage of germination. Lettuce and radish seedlings suffered significant inhibition in length, when using the leaf extracts. Only 4 and 12% (w/v) stem extracts did not cause growth inhibition in radish. The interference of extracts in germination and growth oflettuce and radish was disassociated of any pH and osmotic potential, indicating allelopathic activity.
