The aim of this work was to compare the allelopathic effects of aqueous leaf extracts from Cryptocarya moschata and Ocotea odorifera on the seed germination and initial growth of Lactuca sativa (lettuce). The extracts were prepared by cold maceration, which was accomplished by adding distilled water to the dried plant material 1:10 (w v-1) and grinding. The treatment concentrations (0, 0.25, 0.5, 0.75 and 1%) were obtained by dissolving the dried crude extract in distilled water. The allelopathic potential of the dried Ocotea odorifera and Cryptocarya moschata leaves on Lactuca sativa was observed through reduction of the percentage of seeds that germinated, the index of germination and the length of the roots as well as structural abnormalities in L.... |