Phytotoxic activity of Serjania lethalis on the germination and growth of Panicum maximum

This article analyzes the phytotoxic activity of aqueous extracts from young and mature leaves of Serjania lethalis A. St.-Hil. on the germination and growth of Panicum maximum Jacq. seeds. We prepared aqueous extracts at concentrations of 2.5, 5.0, 7.5, and 10% from dry leaves and distilled water. Germination percentage, germination speed, and synchronicity were negatively affected by both extracts. The extracts exhibited phytotoxicity and reduced seedlings’ growth, and these effects depend on concentration. The different extract concentrations caused significant changes in the germination process and the growth of P. maximum seedlings, in some cases varying due to leaf maturation stage, but they did not differ from each other for most variables under analysis.