Allelopathic effect of endemic South American Bothriochloa species (Poaceae: Andropogoneae)

LIDIA R. SCRIVANTI; ANA M. ANTON

JOURNAL OF ESSENTIAL OIL RESEARCH

ALLURED PUBL CORP

Lugar: Salem; Año: 2018

1041-2905

The essential oil composition of Bothriochloa velutina has been studied. The principal compoundsof essential oils of three South American endemics, B. eurylemma, B. meridionalis and B. velutinawere isolated. In laboratory bioassays, the principal compounds inhibited the seed germination and root and shoot growth of lettuce (Lactuca sativa L.), maize (Zea mays L.), wintergreenpaspalum (Paspalum guenoarum Arechav.) and lovegrass [Eragrostis curvula (Schard.) Nees] testspecies. The aqueous extracts from different plant parts of three species of Bothriochloa inhibited the seed germination and root and shoot growth of test species. Aqueous extracts were moreinhibitory to shoot and root elongation than to seed germination. Significant inhibition in shootlength at all concentrations indicated the phytotoxic activity of extracts. The toxicity enhancedwith increasing aqueous extract concentrations. The compounds isolated can interfere with seedgermination and seedling growth of plants. Consequently, the study of these chemical interactions might be useful to develop new classes of environmentally safe herbicides.