Abstract
Allelopathic substances were found in vegetative and reproductive structures of Gliricidia sepium, a tropical legume widely used for shade in pastures and plantations of perennial crops. Aqueous extracts inhibited seed germination in Bidens pilosa, a weed and Lycopersicon esculentum, tomato; the effect was stronger when the plant parts were macerated. The allelopathic effect did not decrease during the dry season when these decidous trees are phenologically active. The highest concentration of allelopathic substances was observed in the leaves and in the bark of the roots. An extract of Gliricidia leaves also inhibited germination of its own seeds. A phenolic substance, presumably protocatechic acid was tentatively identified from aqueous leaf extracts by means of paper chromatography. The presence of these allelopathic substances would suggest caution in using Gliricidia sepium as shade trees for perennial crops, while their extracts could be used as fungicides or wood preservatives.References
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