Evaluation of the allelopathic effect of aqueous extract of tiririca on the germination of carrot seeds

Abstract

In diverse ecosystems, whether forest or agricultural, allelopathy occurs, a beneficial or harmful
effect of one organism on another, through the release of secondary metabolites. This phenomenon
constitutes an important tool for the management of undesirable plants. The present
work aimed to evaluate and to identify possible allelopathic effects of aqueous extract of tiririca
on the germination of carrot seeds. The experimental design was completely randomized,
involving 2 treatments, with and without extract and 4 replicates. The seeds were evaluated
for initial water content, first germination count, germination percentage, germination speed
index and average germination time. For all analyzed variables there was statistical difference
between treatments with and without extract. The aqueous extract of tiririca had a negative
allelopathic effect on the germination of carrot seeds.