Phytotoxic effect of sugarcane (Saccharum spp) residues

SAMPIETRO, D.A.; ISLA, M. I.; VATTUONE, M.A.

Karachi (Pakistán)

Congreso; 9th International Symposium on Natural Product Chemistry; 2004

International Center for Chemical Sciences

Sugarcane is an important crop in the northwest of Argentina. In last years, the harvesting area of green cane without burning it in the field has been increased in an important percentage. The study of the chemical composition of this residue become important since it could be  able to supress plant growth. The aim of this work was to establish methodological basis to study the phytotoxic effect of sugarcane residues. Aqueous extracts were prepared with no sterile and autoclaved dry leaves. Autoclaved aqueous extract was also obtained. Each extract was vacuum filtered and centrifuged. Extract dilutions were assayed on Lactuca sativa and root length was measured. Total flavonoid, phenolic and neutral sugar contents were determined. Microbial activity was evaluated. Bacterial growth was detected in aqueous extracts from no autoclaved leaves. Fungal growth was not observed. The phytotoxicity, total phenolics and flavonoid content were not different between aqueous extracts from autoclaved and non autoclaved leaves. TLC analysis of the aqueous extracts showed the presence of phenolic acids. This results indicate that sugarcane leaf residues would suppress, per se, plant growth and some of the active natural products would be phenolic compounds. The isolation and identification of these compounds are in progress.