Effect of Aqueous Leaf Extract of 16 Sugarcane Varieties on Germination and Seedling Growth of Lettuce

Abstract

Sugarcane field always has leaf residue mulching on soil surface after cane harvested. This happens less weed population caused by allelopathy phenomenon. This research aimed to investigate on an effect of aqueous leaf extract of 16 sugarcane varieties on germination and seedling growth of lettuce (Lactuca sativa L.) using bioassay test. The experimental design was a factorial in CRD with 4 replications. The first factor was 16 sugarcane varieties and the second was the extract concentrations viz; 12.5, 25, 50 and 100 g/L. The result showed that sugarcane var. CSB 09–11, CSB 10–403, CSB 10–458, CSB 10–89, CSB 08–101, Khonkhean 3, Utong 15 and Utong 12 represented more 50% inhibition of lettuce seed germination. Another factor showed that the concentration of 100 g/L exhibited the most inhibitory effect on germination, shoot length and root length of lettuce by 87.53, 68.95 and 67.23%, respectively, followed by 50, 25 and 12.5 g/L respectively. This result indicated that plants with different species showed various allelopathic effect. These compounds probably develop to a natural herbicide. It is once way on a utilization of sugarcane leaf in the future.