Plant-Plant Biochemical Antagonism

The present study shows that seed pretreatment of Mimosa with various concentrations of Lniitnnn leaf extracts and leaf leachates for 24 hours duration reduced percentage germination, speed of seed, germination and field emergence capacity. Levels of insoluble carbohydrate and protein and activities of catalase and dehydrogenase enzymes were significantly reduced in seed samples pretreated with leaf extracts and leaf leachates of Lantana. Seedling performance was found to be much poor when they were rai.sed from .seeds which underwent pretreatment with the plant extracts and leachates. This was measured in terms of ischolar_main length, shoot length, total leaf area, fresh weight and dry weight of plants. Leaf extract and leaf leachateinduced reduced germinability and suppressed activities of catalase and dehydrogenase enzymes being the important phytotoxic indices, it can be concluded that Lantana can potentially render phytotoxic action on Mimosa.