Evaluation of the Allelopathic Activity of Mimosa pudica (L.) Weed Extracts on the Germination of Okra Seeds

Authors: Temegne NC*, , Fomekong KM , Kamtchoum SM , Ngome AFE , Sandeu KBD , Eyenga MSM , Mbadia KNS , Ntsama OEJ , Ngono RA , Cheye SNL , Tefack NR , Evoung NOL and Youmbi E

DOI: 10.23880/jenr-16000412

Volume 9, Issue 1

Abstract

The objective of this study was to evaluate the allelopathic effect of Mimosa pudica (L.) on okra germination. The experiment was carried out in the laboratory, where the seeds (20/ Petri dish) of two okra varieties (Clemson: V1 and Hire: V2) were watered with different concentrations (C1: 25%, C2: 50%, C3: 75%, C4: 100%) of aqueous extracts from the roots (RAE), stems (SAE), and leaves (LAE) of Mimosa. Control seeds were watered with sterile distilled water (C0: 0%). Germination parameters such as average growth rate, coefficient of velocity, duration of germination, germination energy, germination%, germination vigor index, germination index, inhibition, last day of germination, latency time, radicle length, mean daily germination, mean germination time, phytotoxicity, seed germination index, speed of emergence, speed of germination, and time to 50% germination were evaluated. The aqueous extracts of Mimosa negatively affected the germination parameters, with effects being concentration-dependent. At V2, the highest germination percentage was recorded for the control (C0: 81.67%), while the lowest was observed at C4: 6.67% for LAE. In V1, radicle length was 5.77, 0.62, 0.18, 0, and 0 cm for C0, C1, C2, C3, and C4, respectively, for SAE. The seeds of V2 were less affected by aqueous extracts compared to V1, with inhibition recorded at 60.64% in V1C1 versus only 19.94% in V2C1. Inhibition was significantly stronger with LAE and SAE compared to RAE. From C1 to C4, AE phytotoxicity ranged from 0.005 to 0.01 for LAE, from 0.005 to 0.01 for SAE, and from 0.001 to 0.007 for RAE. The burial of this weed is therefore prohibited. These findings show that Mimosa aqueous extracts contain toxic ingredients and suggest that LAE and SAE should be tested on weeds to assess their bioactivity, as they can serve as a basis for bioherbicides.

Keywords: Allelopathic Activity; Ecology; Aqueous Extract; Germination; Mimosa pudica

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