Influence of Aqueous Leaf Extract of Senna Alata L, Roxb. on the Germination and Seedling Growth of Beans, Maize and Groundnut

Plants extracts have been known to either promote or inhibit plant growth and germination. The influence of aqueous leaf extract of Senna alata (L.) Roxb on the germination and seedling growth of maize ( Zea mays ), Beans ( Phaseolus vulgaris ) and Groundnut ( Arachis hypogea ) were investigated. The experiment was carried out at Michael Okpara University of Agriculture Umudike, green house situated besides the University apex Library. The leaves of Senna alata were air dried, ground, mixed with water and then used for the treatment. Concentrated extracts and its dilutions 1:1, 1:2.5, 1:5 v/v was used as treatments and water served as control. Each treatment was replicated three times. The experiment was designed using Randomized Completely Block Design (RCBD) and the results obtained were statistically analyzed using ANOVA. The result obtained showed that all treatments significantly (P<0.05) inhibited germination in maize except for 1:2.5, which improved germination. Also, the treatments significantly (P<0.05) inhibited germination in beans except for treatments 1:1 and 1:5, which improved germination. However, all treatments significantly (P<0.05) improved germination in groundnut. There was significant increase (P<0.05) in plant height and dry weight of the plant compared with the control. This indicates that seedling growth of Beans, Maize and Groundnut were positively affected by the aqueous leaf extract of S. alata . High concentration of the extract leads to increased plant height and dry matter of the plant. Further study is needed to ascertain the bio-activity of S. alata . Keywords: Influence, Aqeouos leaf extract, Germination. DOI : 10.7176/JBAH/9-24-04 Publication date: December 31 st 2019