Phytotoxic effects of aqueous and organic solvent extracts of Chinaberry and the fungicide, chlorothalonil on germination and growth of chickpea under plastic house

Abstract

In present study, the efficacy of aqueous and organic solvent (methanol and petroleum ether) extracts of leaves and seed of Chinaberry (Melia azedarach L.). and the fungicide, chlorothalonil as seed treatment on germination and growth of chickpea (Cicer arietinum L.) was evaluated in a plastic house trial at the Faculty of Agriculture Department of plant protection, Damascus University, Damascus, Syria, during the season of 2013 -2014. Methanol extracts of seed Chinaberry, at 20 % concentration significantly reduced the germination of chickpea seeds (71.77%) and plant length (23.30cm) as compared to control (100%) germination, and (31.88 cm) plant length. Moreover, significantly seed germination (100%) and plant length (36.60 and 35.33 cm) was recorded at 5% concentration of both petroleum ether of seed and leaves extracts of Chinaberry, respectively. In the other hand, the aqueous and organic solvent of leaves and seed of Chinaberry used as seed treatment at 5% concentration, significantly increased roots and shoots dry weight of chickpea seedling as compared to untreated chickpea plants. The fungicide chlorothalonil used as seed treatment at duplicated rates significantly reduced the dry weight of shoots (48.5mg/ plant) and roots (38.12 mg/plant) of chickpea seedling as compared to untreated chickpea plants (51.67mg/plant) shoots, (44.34 mg/plant) roots . On the opposite, the chlorothalonil at recommended and half rates, increased significantly dry weight of roots and shoots of chickpea seedling as compared to control. The aqueous and organic solvent extracts of leaves and seed of Chinaberry and the tested fungicide, were reduced the contents of chlorophyll a and chlorophyll b of leaves chickpea at the highest concentrations used, while the other concentrations increased significantly chlorophyll a. However, Phytotoxic effects of aqueous and organic solvent (methanol and petroleum ether) extracts of Chinaberry and the fungicide, chlorothalonil were proportional to the concentrations of the extracts and higher concentrations had the stronger inhibitory effect, whereas, the lower concentrations showed stimulant effect in some treatments.