ALLELOPATHIC ACTIVITY AND ALLELOPATHIC SUBSTANCE IN JACKFRUIT LEAVES

Abstract

Jackfruit (Artocarpus heterophyllus) has traditionally been used in agroforestry system. However, there is very limited information on the allelopathic property of the species. Therefore, we investigated possible allelopathic activity and allelopathic active substances in jackfruit leaves. An aqueous methanol extract of jackfruit leaves inhibited the growth of roots and hypocotyls/coleoptiles of cress (Lepidium sativum), lettuce (Lactuca sativa), alfalfa (Medicago sativa), timothy (Phleum pratense), ryegrass (Lolium multiflorum) and Echinochloa crus-galli seedlings. The extract was purified and a main allelopathic active substance was isolated. These results suggest that jackfruit may have allelopathic property and contain an allelopathic active substance. Jackfruit leaves may be useful as soil additive materials to control weeds for sustainable agriculture.