This work aimed to determine the phytotoxic potential of crude ethanol extract and semipurified fractions of Dicranopteris flexuosa on the germination and growth of Lactuca sativa L. (lettuce), Lycopersicon esculentum L. (tomato), Allium cepa L. (onion) and Triticum aestivum L. (wheat) in laboratory and greenhouse bioassays and determine total phenolic and flavonoid content. For the tests carried out in laboratory, four concentrations (0, 250, 500, 1000 mg.L-1) were applied to four replicates of 50 seeds each. Analysis of the results indicates a reduction in speed and/or inhibition of germination, stimulation of root growth in eudicots and root inhibition in the monocots studied. For the bioassays carried out in the greenhouse, the plant materials were applied at the same concentrations as those in the laboratory bioassays, with eight replicates of five seeds each. Analysis of the results indicates that root length was affected by the crude ethanol extract resulting in stimulation in tomato and inhibition in onion and wheat. Aerial dry mass was higher at the lower concentration in lettuce and wheat. The ethyl acetate fraction presented higher content of total phenols and flavonoids. Although the results are preliminary, they indicate that ethanol extract and semipurified fractions of D. flexuosa contain substances that modify seedling growth of lettuce, tomato, onion and wheat.
growth; germination; pteridophyta
