Allelopathic Effect of Jatropha Leaf Leachate on Growth and Yield of Tomato and Pea

Abstract

The experimental study was conducted to evaluate the allelopathic effects of Jatropha curcas on two vegetable crops tomato (Lycopersicon esculentum) and pea (Pisum sativum). Fresh leaves of Jatropha were collected, sundried and soaked for 24 hrs; the filtrate was diluted with tap water to make different concentrations. There were five treatments viz., T0 (tap water); T1 (25% concentration); T2 (50% concentration); T3 (75% concentration); T4 (100% concentration). The experiments were laid out in the Randomized Block Design (RBD) with three replications. Leaf leachates of Jatropha curcas at 25%, 50%, 75% and 100% concentrations were applied to determine their effect on seed germination and growth parameters of test crops in open field condition. Germination was significantly higher in tomato and pea when they were treated with 25% and 50% concentration. Similarly, the gross return, net return and higher cost: benefit ratio was reported maximum when the crops were treated with 25% and 50% concentration. The results showed that allelochemical stress caused by Jatropha curcas aqueous was much pronounced in 100% concentration i.e. T4 in both tomato and pea. From this we can predict that Jatropha curcas might possess allelochemicals that causes both suppressive and stimulatory ability.