Effects Of Aqueous Leaf And Stem Extracts Of Adenia Lobata (Jacq) On The Flowering And Fruiting Of Okra (Ablemischus Esculenta) And Groundnut (Arachis Hypogea)

ABSTRACT

The growth and development of plants which comprise its germination, flowering and fruiting can either be induced or retarded by various plant extracts, Erclisli and Turkal (1998). This means that the production of specific bio-molecular compounds by a plant, mostly metabolites can accelerate or retard the growth of a plant, Erclisli and Turkal (1998). Various plants extracts have been used to control the flowering and fruiting of other plants. Plant extracts such as phloem exudates of pharbits species is known to induce flowering in the species of young plants (Nahoko and Shizufumi 1990). Nahoko and Shizufumi (1990) also observed that accelerated flowering and fruiting occurred in plants treated with benzoic acid. The work of Tompset et al (1973) reported that endogenous growth hormones such as auxins and gibberellins enhance the flowering and fruiting of plants. This observation was supported by that of Onofeghara (1981) which reported that the flowering and fruiting of tomato and cowpea was enhances by its treatment with exogenous growth substances.