The influence of aqueous leaf and stem extracts of <i>Adenia lobata</i> (Jacq) on the flowering and fruiting of okra (<i>Abelmischus esculenta</i>) and groundnut (<i>Arachis hypogea</i>)

Abstract

The influence of the aqueous leaf and stem extracts of Adenia lobata (Jacq) on the flowering and fruiting of okra (Abelmischus esculenta) and groundnut (Arachis hypogea) was investigated. A. lobata extract prepared in the following dilutions: 1:1, 1:2.5 and 1:5 (v/v) from the original extracts and distilled water, which served as control were used for treatments. All treatments at (P < 0.05) significantly inhibited the flowering and fruiting of the plant species. This observation was consistent in all the plant species used in the research, as there was a significant reduction in the flowering and fruiting of the plants. The concentration of the extracts affected the rate of effects of the extracts on the flowering and fruiting of the plant species. The higher the concentration, the more the inhibitory effects of the extracts. This study reveals the presence of compounds capable of inhibiting the flowering and fruiting of plants in A. lobata.