Inhibition effect of the germination, induced by extract of common kale (Brassica oleracea L. var. acephala DC)

Abstract

With the purpose of studying the possible allelopathy characteristics of the common kale (Brassica oleracea L. var. acephala DC.), an experiment was conducted in laboratory conditions, at E.S.A. "Luiz de Queiroz", in Piracicaba, São Paulo State. Tomato seeds (Lycopersicon esculentum Mill. cv. Santa Cruz) were put to germinate in solutions with different concentrations (0; 25; 50 and 100%) of the extract obtained from the air part (leaves) of the common kale. Effects pronouncedly inhibitories of the germination of the tomato seeds were found in the largest concentrations of the common kale extract. The seedlings which germinated in the parcels treated with the extract presented reduced growth morpfo-physiologically abnormal and with larger time for the beginning of the germination. All these characteristics were more pronounced in the parcels with larger concentrations of the extract.