Effects of the Crude Water Extract of the Leaves of Morinda lucida on the Germination and Growth of Amaranthus spinosus and Amaranthus hybridus

Abstract

The effect of crude leaf extract of Morinda lucida on germination and growth of Amaranthus spinosus and Amaranthus hybridus was studied. However, the aim was to use crude water extract from leave of M. lucida to germinate, nurture and compare the growth of A. hybridus and A.  spinosus. The plants seeds selected were planted in polyethylene bags filled with loamy soil, different extract concentrations of 5%, 10% and 15% were obtained from the leaf of M. lucida using manual extraction method. The plants were well watered with the extracts of three different concentrations and allowed to grow under natural environmental condition. Parameters measured include: weekly height of plants, number of leaves produced by each plants at the end of the week, weekly stem girth and weekly leaf area of plant. The study showed that the extract of M. lucida had negative effect on the growth of A. spinosus and A. hybridus. The effect was significantly higher at higher concentrations of the extracts. M. lucida extract significantly reduced the leaf number, leaf area, stem height, fresh weight and dry weight in A. spinosus and A. hybridus when compared to those of the control. Additionally, the germination of A. spinosus and A. hybridus were delayed considerable to the fourth and fifth weeks and in some replicate no germination was observed. The study further showed that the sensitivity of A. spinosus and A. hybridus to plant extracts differ. From the study M. lucida had more negative effect on A. spinosus, hence, revealing more inhibitory activity on the growth of A. spinosus than on A. hybridus.