Allelopathic effect of Piper aduncum L. leaf extract on the seed germination of Vigna radiata L. as model organism

Abstract

The presented study was conducted to evaluate the allelopathic effect of the aqueous extract and ethanolic extract of Piper aduncum L. (spiked peper) on the seed germination of Vigna radiata L. (mung bean). Seed germination percentage (GP) was monitored at 8 hours after treatment (HAT), 24 HAT and 48 HAT. Further, radicle length was examined 48 HAT. The results indicated that after treatment with 1:10 aqueous extract GP was 40%, while after 1:100 ethanolic extract GP was 11.11%, showing significant decrease in seed germination of V. radiata at 24 HAT. At 48 HAT, all concentrations showed no significant difference from the control, except 1:10 ethanolic extract, which completely inhibited radicle growth, preventing seed germination. Moreover, at 48 HAT, same treatments induced significant decrease in the radicle length compared to the control. Consequently, P. aduncum extracts demonstrated a dose-dependent phytotoxic effect on V. radiata which negatively impacted V. radiata seeds at higher concentrations in both aqueous and ethanolic extracts.