Investigation of the allelopathic effects of lyophilized ethanol extract of Xanthoparmelia somloensis (Gyelnik) Hale lichen on tomato plant

All organisms in nature interact and compete with each other. Various groups of organisms such as algae, lichens, crops and weeds have been found as allelopathic interaction and it is known that lichens have many potent secondary metabolites. The aim of this study was to determine the allelopathic effects of lyophilized ethanolic extract of Xanthoparmelia somloensis (Gyelnik) Hale lichen (XS) on tomato (Lycopersicum esculentum L.) germination and early development stage. Obtained lyophilized ethanolic extracts of XS lichen at concentrations of 50 ppm (XS-50), 100 ppm (XS-100), 200 ppm (XS-200) and 400 ppm (XS-400) were applied to tomato seeds and seedlings. In order to determine the effects caused by the extracts, germination rate and seedling growth parameters (vigor index, length, fresh weight, relative water content and pigment contents) were analyzed. According to the obtained data, there were significant decreases in germination rate and vigor index values depending on the increase in lichen extract concentration. Similar effects were also observed in root and shoot length and pigment contents. However, results of the lowest application (XS-50) were similar to control except root length and carotenoid content. The data obtained from this study exhibited that the lichen Xanthoparmelia somloensis has allelopathic effects and has the potential to be used for agricultural purposes.

Keyword: Allelopathy, Tomato, Germination, Lichen, Vigor index