Hot pepper plant extracts inhibit vegetable seed germination, impacting crop growth.
The researchers studied how extracts from different parts of hot pepper plants affect the germination of radish, cucumber, Chinese cabbage, and tomato seeds. They found that low concentrations of whole hot pepper plant extract improved radish and Chinese cabbage germination, while higher concentrations inhibited all vegetable seeds. The order of allelopathic effect was leaf > stem > plant > root, and tomato and Chinese cabbage were more sensitive to the extracts.