Influence of petal leachate of delonix regia (boj ex hook) raf. on germination and seedling growth of chickpea

Delonix regia (Boj Ex Hook) is a common tree growing along the roadside as well as farmside. There is frequent shedding of petals during flowering season. So an attempt was made to study the influence of petal leachate of D. regia on seed germination and seedling growth of important leguminous crop Chickpea (Cicer arietinum L.). In petridish bioassay seed germination and seedling growth with respect to root length, shoot length and fresh weight was inhibited due to petal leachate. In soil bioassay seed germination and seedling growth was inhibited due to petal leachate. In seedlings of Chickpea contents of total sugar, reducing sugar and soluble protein were also reduced due to petal leachate treatment. Petal leachates were analyzed for the presence of nitrate, nitrite, polyphenols and for the detection of phytochemicals. Petal leachate was found to contain appreciable amount of polyphenols and phytochemicals which may affect further growth performance of the crop.