Libidibia ferrea litter on maize seedling establishment

Abstract

The implementation of an agroforestry system in the Caatinga is an alternative for environmental preservation and food production. Thus, the objective was to identify a possible allelopathic interference of dried leaves, in decomposition process, of the species Libidibia ferrea in the emergence and initial development of maize seedlings, variety Ibra. The design was entirely randomized in a 4×5 factorial scheme (leaf proportions - 1:0 (control-sand); 1:1/2; 1:1 and 1:2 × decomposition periods - 0 (no decomposition); 15; 30; 45 and 60 days). Phytochemical characterization was performed on the aqueous extract of dried leaves of L. ferrea. The variables analyzed were percentage, velocity index, and mean time to emergence, length of roots and shoots, and dry mass of matter roots and shoots and total normal seedlings. In the aqueous extract, alkaloids, saponins, phenolic compounds, tannins, flavonoids, anthraquinones, and flavonones were observed, all with allelopathic potential. The dried leaves caused a reduction in the emergence and growth parameters of corn seedlings. The adoption of an agroforestry system with the presence of the native species L. ferrea associated with corn, variety Ibra, is not recommended because the dried leaves impair the emergence and initial establishment process of corn seedlings.