engleski

Allelopathic effect of Abutilon Theophrasti Med. on lettuce, carrot and red beet

Velveatleaf (Abutilon theophrasti Med.) is present for a long time in Croatia but as a weed in agriculture is known since 1980's. Last few years velvetleaf spreads very fast and uncontrollably. It is mostly distributed in the continental part of the country but recently it is also found in coastal areas. Besides competitive abilities it also has allelopathic potential. In this study the aqueous extract of velvetleaf was prepared from mature capsule with seeds to investigate the effect of velvetleaf on germination, and the length of radicule and shoot of three test plants: lettuce, carrot and red beet. Germination inhibition was significant only in carrot (41, 2%) while the reductions in the length of radicule and shoot were significant for all test plants. Velvetleaf inhibited the length of radicule in carrot by 83, 8%, in red beet by 49, 4% and lettuce by 37, 4%. Length of shoot was reduced by 88, 1% in carrot, 66, 4% in red beet and 7, 7% in lettuce.

Velvetleaf; allelopathy; lettuce; carrot; red beet

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