The effect of aqueous leaf extracts of Prosopis cineraria (L.) Druce and Prosopis juliflora (Sw.) D.C on seed germination and seedling growth of Taverniera spartea under in vitro condition

Document Type : Research Paper

Authors

1 Research Division of Natural Resources, Hormozgan Agricultural and Natural Resources Research and Education Center, AREEO, Bandarabbas, Iran.

2 Research Institute of Forests and Rangelands, Agricultural Research, Education and Extension Organization (AREEO), Tehran, Iran.

3 Department of Natural Resources Engineering, Desert Management and Control, University of Hormozgan, Hormozgan, Bandarabass, Iran.

10.22059/jfwp.2025.403650.1374

Abstract

Considering the extensive afforestation of non-native Prosopis (mesquite) species in southern Iran and the ongoing debate regarding their allelopathic effects, this study investigated the effects of different concentrations of leaf extracts from native (P. cineraria) and non-native (P. juliflora) Prosopis species on the germination and early growth of Taverniera spartea under laboratory conditions. Thirty healthy mother plants of T. spartea were randomly selected from the forest floor vegetation in Sirik County. Following seed collection and viability assessment, 15 seeds per treatment, with four replications, were placed in Petri dishes lined with filter paper moistened with leaf extract solutions at concentrations of 0, 2, 4, 6, and 8%. The measured variables included germination percentage, radicle length, and plumule length. Data were analyzed using a General Linear Model (GLM). The results indicated that the greatest plumule lengths occurred in the control (2.68 cm) and 4% (2.33 cm) treatments, while the highest germination percentage was observed at the 6% concentration (15.83%) (P<0.05). Furthermore, the native Prosopis treatment yielded higher values for germination percentage (17%), radicle length (2.83 cm), and plumule length (2.43 cm) compared to the non-native Prosopis. Interaction analysis revealed that leaf extracts of the native Prosopis species, particularly at moderate concentrations (4 and 6%), enhanced both germination and early seedling growth of T. spartea. In contrast, the non-native Prosopis species exhibited inhibitory effects. Differences in the concentration of inhibitory compounds and the greater ecological compatibility of local fauna and flora with the native species P. cineraria may explain the contrasting allelopathic effects observed between the two Prosopis species. Overall, the findings suggest that native Prosopis species exert a stimulatory influence on the early growth of T. spartea. Therefore, the use of native Prosopis species is recommended in afforestation programs, while the potential adverse impacts of non-native species should be mitigated through appropriate management and planning.

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References

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Forest and Wood Products
Volume 78, Issue 4
February 2026
Pages 393-402

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