Allelopathic effect of aqueous extract of Mimosa caesalpiniaefolia Benth. in seed germination of Phaseolus lunatus

Abstract

The Mimosa caesalpiniaefolia Benth. is a medicinal plant that can be used in agroforestry systems, is also employed in the composition of pasture trees in strips between fields, to enrich brush fields and as a hedge. The Phaseolus lunatus L. is one of four species of the genus Phaseolus exploited commercially; its use is preferably in the form of green beans cooked or in canned form. The aim of the present research was to evaluate aqueous extracts of Mimosa caesalpiniaefolia on the germination of seeds and initial growth of broad beans seedlings. The seeds of bean were sowed into vermiculite in boxes and placed in a germinador at 25 °C under continuous light. The substrate was moistened with the aqueous extract of young leaves of Mimosa caesalpiniaefolia in concentrations of 25%; 50%; 75%, 100%, and a control treatament whose substrate was moistened only with distilled water. The parameters evaluated were: percentage, first count, the index of germination speed and length of the primary root. The experimental design was completely randomized design with four replications of 25 seeds each. The data were subjected to analysis of variance and regression polynomial. In the study of polynomial regression (p < 0,05) equation was used to best fit the data. The values in percentage were transformed in arc sen (n/100)^0,5. It was concluded that different concentrations of extract of leaves of young Mimosa caesalpiniaefolia did not prevent germination of Phaseolus lunatus.