Phytotoxic effects of Leucaena leucocephala seeds on seeds germination and seedling growth of rice and tomato

摘要

Under laboratory conditions, we assayed the phytotoxic potential of L. leucocephala seed leachates from (1 to 5 d after start of imbibitions) on germination and seedling growth of tomato (Solanum lycopersicum L.) and rice (Oryza sativa L.). The chemical composition of L. leucocephala seed leachates was also determined. The L. leucocephala seed leachates did not affect the germination, while root and shoot lengths were significantly reduced. In the beginning of imbibition the mimosine, abscisic acid, sugars, phenolics, proteins and amino acids were found in L. leucocephala seed leachates. The mimosine was very inhibitory to seedling growth of tomato than rice. The presence of mimosine in seed leachates could explain the high toxicity of L. leucocephala on the development of assayed crops.