Effects of Calotropis procera (Ait.) R.Br. leaves on the Germination and Early Growth of Soybeans (Glycine max. (L) Merrill).

The study examined the effects of Calotropis procera powdered extracts on the germination and growth of soybeans (Glycine max L. merrill), an important crop in Nigeria. The result showed that C. procera leachates inhibited the germination and growth of soybeans. The degree of inhibition was concentration dependent as the inhibition increased with increase in the concentration of the extracts. Statistical analysis( ANOVA, P = 0.05) revealed that there were significant differences in in the coefficient of velocity( COV), plumule length, number of leaves at harvest, fresh weights of roots and shoots and dry weights of roots compared to the control experiments. No significant difference was observed in the percentage germination and shoot dry weights of soybeans treated seeds compared to control experiments.