Allelopathic potential of Jatropha Curcas l. Leaf aqueous extracts on seedling growth of wheat

Allelopathic effects of aqueous leaf extracts of jatropha curcas on seed germination and early seedling growth of wheat cv. inqlab-91 were investigated. the extracts were applied at 50%,25%,12.5%,6.25% and 3.12% as seed soaking for 5h prior to sowing of seeds in the pots. the j. curcas leaf characterized for composition of macronutrients showed na (304 μg/g),k (267 μg/g),mg (92 μg/g) and ca (12 μg/g). among micronutrients fe (92 μg/g),cr (92 μg/g),ni (48 μg/g),co (38 μg/g),cu (23 μg/g,mn (12 μg/g) and zn (15.22 μg/g) were found. phenolic compounds were detected in the extracts and were found maximum (8.12 mg gallic acid/g extract) in 50% extract. lower concentrations (6.25%,3.25%) of the extracts significantly improved seed germination (%),germination index,shoot length,shoot fresh weight,shoot dry weight,root fresh weight,root dry weight and root area of wheat plants (p<0.05). at higher concentration of the extract,root length was significantly reduced. it is inferred that lower concentrations (6.25% and 3.12%) of the extracts exhibited beneficial effects on growth of wheat plants. © 2015,pakistan botanical society. all rights reserved.