Effect of Clerodendrum infortunatum L. Leaf Extracts on the Growth and Development of Maize (Zea mays L.)

The allelopathic effects of C. infortunatum leaf extracts were assessed to determine their impact on maize growth and development. Extracts were prepared at varying concentrations: C0 (0%), C20 (20%), C40 (40%), C60 (60%), C80 (80%) and C100 (100%). Results showed that C. infortunatum extracts generally promoted growth across all measured parameters. However, at the highest concentration (C100), inhibitory effects were noted in laboratory bioassays, specifically affecting shoot length and fresh and dry biomass weight. Despite this, significant stimulatory effects (p<0.05) were observed in all growth parameters during the polypot experiment. The inhibition at higher conc perhaps attributed to the existence of phenolic compounds for example 4-(1-methylpropyl) phenol as well as 3,5-bis (1,1-dimethylethyl) phenol in leaf extracts. This study aimed to evaluate the compatibility of C. infortunatum allelopathic effects with agricultural crops in various land use systems in the region.