Allelopathic compounds in leaves ofGliricidia sepium (Jacq.) kunth ex walp. and its effect onSorghum vulgare L.

Allelochemicals fromGliricidia sepium were extracted, identified, and quantified using HPLC. Fifteen toxic compounds, namely gallic acid, protocatechuic acid,p-hydroxybenzoic acid, gentisic acid,Β-resorcyclic acid, vanillic acid, syringic acid,p-coumaric acid,m-coumaric acid,o-coumaric acid, ferulic acid, sinapinic acid (trans andcis forms), coumarin, and myricetin were identified and quantified. These compounds from the plant extracts were tested on the seeds of the crop plant,Sorghum vulgare. Rate of germination of the seeds and root elongation were found to be inhibited by the various compounds of the extract. Different quantities ofGliricidia leaf mulch, viz., 400, 800, and 1200 g/m(2) applied to theSorghum grown fields, were found to effectively control weeds. Mulching improved the total yield ofSorghum. Leaf manuring and mulching showed better crop yield when applied up to 800 g ofGliricidia leaf/m(2). Crop yield was better in mulch-applied fields when compared to the manure-applied ones.