Allelopathic potential of itchgrass (Rottboellia exaltata L. f.) powder incorporated into soil

Itchgrass ( Rottboellia exaltata L. f.) is a widespread weed in northern Thailand. The farmers in this area have been using itchgrass as a mulching material in order to control other weeds in vegetable fields. Laboratory experiments were undertaken to investigate the phytotoxic activity of itchgrass powder incorporated into soil in order to evaluate the allelopathic activity in the field. The phytotoxic activity on the growth of radish seedlings ( Raphanus sativa L. var. radicula ), used as a test plant, was more pronounced in the root than in the shoot growth. The phytotoxic activity was found to be similar for the soils incorporated with the shoot or the root powder of itchgrass. The growth of the radish seedlings grown in sea sand and watered with soil water obtained from the soil previously incorporated with itchgrass powder showed a similar inhibition to those planted in the treated soil. The phytotoxic activity on the growth of the radish seedlings in the soil incorporated with the powder decreased over time. It is suggested that itchgrass releases phytotoxic compound(s) into soil water and the concentration of the active compound(s) in the soil water decreases over time.     

Inhibitory and promotive allelopathy in rice (Oryza sativa L.)

Studies on allelopathic rice, which inhibits the germination and development of weeds such as barnyardgrass ( Echinochloa spp.) and ducksalad [ Heteranthera limosa (Sw.) Wild.], have been strongly conducted in the USA, the Philippines, Japan, Korea, and other countries since the 1980s. Weed-suppressing rice plants can compete with weeds for light and mineral nutrients by their rapid and thick growth characteristics, and probably also by their allelopathic effects. It was suggested that allelopathic properties were inherited from parents. Different screening methods for finding allelopathic rice simply and rapidly have been proposed. In contrast, stimulative allelopathy in rice, which promotes germination of the dormant and dormancy-awakened seeds of Monochoria vaginalis (Burm. f.) Kunth var. vaginalis , has been investigated by the authors since the 1990s. Rice seeds promoted the germination in the dark and in light under submerged conditions. Our experiments suggested that rice seeds, hulls, plants and straw contain stimulative substance(s) that promote seed germination of M. vaginalis .     

Evaluation of the allelopathic potential of Kava (Piper methysticum L.) for weed control in rice

Kava is a perennial pepper plant from the Oceanic region, which is commonly used as a drink by natives and for pharmacological purposes. Results of this study concluded that Kava has allelopathic potential and suppressed germination and growth of lettuce ( Lactuca sativa L), barnyardgrass ( E. crus-galli Beauv var. formosensis Ohwi.), and duck-tongue weed ( M. vaginalis Presl var. plantaginea Solms-Laub.) Moreover, Kava inhibited emergence of weeds in paddy soils. The inhibition of Kava became stronger as the applied concentration increased. In a greenhouse experiment, Kava had the greatest inhibition on emergence and weed growth in paddy soils when a dose of 1 ton ha⁻¹ of Kava was divided and applied at 3, 16, and 23 days after watering. Inhibition by Kava varied among weed species. Results from this study suggest that Kava might be useful for weed control in rice or reduce dependence on herbicide.     

Allelopathic effect of leaf debris, leaf aqueous extract and rhizosphere soil of Ophiopogon japonicus Ker-Gawler on the growth of plants

Laboratory and greenhouse experiments were conducted to evaluate the allelopathic potential of dwarf lily turf ( Ophiopogon japonicus Ker-Gawler) on lettuce, alfalfa, timothy and mustard plant growth. Dry leaf debris, aqueous extract of fresh leaves and O. japonicus grown soil were investigated. Emergence, dry weight, and root and shoot length of all bioassay species were inhibited when grown in soil incorporated with oven-dried leaves of O. japonicus. The inhibitory effects were often dependent on the concentration. However, the degree of inhibition varied among the test plant species. The aqueous leaf extract was highly phytotoxic and it significantly reduced germination, seedling growth, and the fresh weight of all the test species at all rates. The emergence and growth of all four tested plants were severely inhibited when planted in O. japonicus contaminated soil. These results indicate that O. japonicus incorporated leaf debris, leaf aqueous extract and its rhizosphere soil suppress seed germination, radicle growth, seedling emergence and seeding growth of certain weeds and suggest that these responses were attributed to an allelopathic effect.     

水稻化感物质的代谢途径及基因调控

水稻化感作用和竞争作用是水稻抑草的两个方面,化感作用是通过水稻植株向环境中释放化感物质实现对杂草的生长抑制作用。水稻化感作用的物质主要有4大类:酚类、萜类、含氮化合物和其他化感物质。水稻酚类化感物质的代谢物质为莽草酸和乙酸-丙二酸;类萜是由乙酰CoA经甲羟戊酸和异戊二烯焦磷酸(IPP)转化而来的,类萜生物合成中起作用的是IPP;含氮化感物质是由不同的氯基酸衍生来的。很多植物次生物质产生的酶基因已得到了克隆。紫外光处理水稻化感材料后12 h和24 h,被诱导的苯丙氨酸氨基裂合酶(PAL)、肉桂酸-4-羟化酶(CA4H)和二萜环化酶的酶活力比紫外光处理的无化感作用水稻中的要高2-4倍。用胁迫相关酶的编码基因对水稻的化感作用进行基因调控研究是探明产生水稻化感物质基因的重要策略。     

Assessment of the differential response of weeds to soil solarization by two methods

The efficacy of solarization in weed control under field conditions of the United Arab Emirates was evaluated by two methods: on-farm weed assessment and a seed germination test. In the on-farm weed assessment method, the weed frequency, density, and dry weight were compared in the solarized and non-solarized plots that were cultivated with cabbage. Prior to solarization, the soil was artificially infested with the seeds of 10 weeds. Generally, the densities of seven species and dry weights of five species were significantly lower in the solarized plots as compared to the control. Launea mucronata , Capsella bursa-pastoris , and Echinochloa colona were very sensitive to solarization, as they did not appear in the solarized plots. However, Portulaca oleracea and Melilotus indica were not significantly affected by soil solarization. In the second method, the germination was assessed for the seeds of four weedy species buried at three depths for different durations of solarization. The results confirmed the great sensitivity of L. mucronata and C. bursa-pastoris seeds to solarization, as all had not germinated after 15 days of solarization, even at the 15 cm depth. The seeds of E. colona , however, were less sensitive after 15 days of solarization, especially at 7.5 cm and 15 cm, respectively. The seed germination method confirmed the resistance of the P. oleracea seeds to solarization. The results emphasized the importance of the germination test to provide accurate predictions about the spatial and temporal changes of the soil seed bank in solarized farms. This would help to determine the optimal duration of solarization in each farm, depending on the kind of weeds infesting the farm.     

入侵植物刺苍耳对小麦和苜蓿种子的化感作用

采用生物实验法,研究刺苍耳（[WTBX]Xanthium spinosum[WTBZ]）不同构件的水浸提液对小麦和苜蓿种子的化感效应。结果表明:刺苍耳植株不同构件的提取液对小麦和苜蓿种子的萌发均具有较强的抑制作用,而根、茎和叶水浸液产生显著抑制作用的起始浓度分别为0.012 50 g·mL-1,且化感作用随浸提液浓度的增加而增强。刺苍耳根、茎、叶水浸液对小麦和苜蓿种子萌发的抑制, 不仅表现为降低种子的最终发芽率,还表现为延长种子的萌发周期。不同构件水浸液的化感效应强度整体表现为：叶＞根＞茎,并且化感效应强度随水浸液浓度的增加而增强。     

Allelopathy of pinecone in Japanese red pine tree (Pinus densiflora Sieb. et Zucc.)

There are fewer weeds in the ground covered with pinecones of Japanese red pine trees ( Pinus densiflora Sieb. et Zucc.) than in the ground without pinecones. When six species of seeds were cultured with Japanese red pinecones on agar, the growth of cress, lettuce and cat's eye were inhibited. Pinecones had a plant species-selective influence on their growth. Exudates of the pinecones showed high biological activity and also plant species-selective activity. Some species-selective allelopathic substances may be released from the pinecones. One of the inhibiting allelopathic substances was isolated from the exudates of the pinecones using a bioassay of cat's eye. The substance was identified as phenylacetic acid from an ESI-MS and ¹H NMR spectra. It inhibited shoot and radicle elongation of cat's eye at concentrations of 30–100 p.p.m. The substance was also isolated from an agar medium after removal of the pinecones. These results suggest that pinecones may inhibit some weeds that grow around pine trees. There are many reports of the allelopathic effect of leaves, bark and roots of many plants, however, this is the first report that reveals the cone also affects the allelopathy phenomenon in Japanese red pine trees.     

石刁柏4种浸提液对几种受体植物的化感作用

用白菜、假臭草和红毛草为受体植物,采用生物测定的方法研究了石刁柏新鲜茎叶4种浸提液的化感作用,结果表明：红毛草受石刁柏茎叶浸提液的抑制作用最强;4种溶剂的浸提液对假臭草萌发率的作用效果表现出“低浓度促进,高浓度抑制”的双重效应,而对其幼苗根茎生长具有明显的抑制作用,且浓度越大抑制作用越强;4种溶剂的浸提液对白菜萌发率和根长的作用在总体上也表现出显著的抑制作用,但对其茎长却有明显的促进作用。说明4种浸提液对受体植物种子萌发率、幼苗的根长和茎长均有不同程度的化感作用,这为利用石刁柏的化感作用控制杂草提供了理论基础。     

Allelopathic activity of Mexican sunflower [Tithonia diversifolia (Hemsl.) A. Gray] in soil under natural field conditions and different moisture conditions

The allelopathic activity of Mexican sunflower [ Tithonia diversifolia (Hemsl.) A. Gray] in soil under natural field conditions and the effect of water stress on the growth and allelopathic activity of this plant were investigated. Seed germination, shoot growth and root growth of tested plant species in soil collected from a field where Mexican sunflower had been grown for 5 years were less than those in soil from an area without the plant. Growth of young leaves, mature leaves, senescent leaves, stem and roots of Mexican sunflower was reduced with decrease in soil moisture level. The allelopathic activity of water extracts (per dry weight of starting material) from each part of the plants grown at low soil moisture levels was greater than that of the water extracts from the same part of the plants grown at high soil moisture levels. The allelopathic activity was found in the soil from the pots previously planted with Mexican sunflower to a similar extent (per plant) at different soil moisture levels. These results suggested that, in the field, under water stress conditions, the growth of Mexican sunflower was reduced but the plants contained a greater amount of allelopathic substance(s) per dry weight than in the absence of water stress. It was considered that allelopathic activity of Mexican sunflower in soil was maintained to a similar extent under various soil moisture conditions in natural fields.     

小麦秸秆对杂草种子萌发和土壤微生物代谢的影响

通过室内模拟小麦秸秆还田, 研究小麦秸秆对农田杂草种子萌发和土壤微生物代谢功能的影响。结果表明, 小麦秸秆对杂草种子的萌发抑制活性随秸秆还田的时间呈动态变化, 0~10 d抑草活性逐渐增强, 10 d后抑草活性逐渐降低。对狗尾草种子的萌发抑制效果最好, 在10 d时对狗尾草种子萌发抑制率高达83%。采用Biolog方法研究土壤微生物代谢功能, 10 d处理土壤微生物结构多样性及代谢活性显著高于其他处理。研究明确了小麦秸秆还田能够抑制杂草种子萌发, 并改变土壤微生物环境。     

Evaluation of the allelopathic activity of five Oxalidaceae cover plants and the demonstration of potent weed suppression by Oxalis species

Laboratory and field experiments were conducted to evaluate the usefulness of Oxalis spp. as allelopathic ground-cover plants for weed management. Some Oxalis spp. have previously been reported to possess strong allelopathic activities but few studies have been conducted on their activities in fields. This study aimed to investigate allelopathic activities and the possibility of weed suppression in five species of common Oxalis : shamrock oxalis ( Oxalis articulata Savigny), Bowie's woodsorrel ( Oxalis bowiei Lindl.), trefoil ( Oxalis brasiliensis Lodd. ex Knowl. et West.), lucky clover ( Oxalis deppei Lodd. ex Sweet) and Oxalis hirta L. The effects of the leachates from dry leaves and the exudates from living roots of these plant species were tested in laboratory experiments. The leachates from O. articulata , O. bowiei , O. deppei and O. hirta and the exudates from O. deppei caused > 84% inhibition of the radicle elongation of lettuce seedlings, but no effect was observed on the seed germination of lettuce. In the field experiment, O. deppei significantly reduced the weed population in July. A significant relationship was observed between the weed population and the percentage ground coverage of Oxalis spp. In contrast to the weed population, a significant relationship was observed between the weed above-ground biomass and the allelopathic activity of exudates from Oxalis spp.     

Evaluation of rice allelopathy in hydroponics

The inhibitory activity of water extracts from the shoots and roots of three rice cultivars, Taichung native 1 (TN1) and IAC165 (both allelopathic rice) and AUS196 (non-allelopathic rice), grown in hydroponics was evaluated. The release of germination inhibitors by allelopathic rice plants into hydroponic solution was also determined with freshly collected solution and XAD-4 resin desorbate. The degree of the inhibition was quantified in terms of root growth in Echinochloa colona, Echinochloa crus-galli, Echinochloa crus-galli var. oryzicola, Triantema portulacastrum and Lactuca sativa. The allelopathic activity of rice was species specific, and depended on source and concentration. Root length of all test species was inhibited by the different concentrations of shoot extract of allelopathic and non-allelopathic rice. However, of the three cultivars, TN1 showed higher inhibition than IAC165 and AUS196 in all test species. Water extracts of shoots and roots significantly inhibited root growth in E. crus-galli but the shoot extract gave a greater inhibitory effect on E. crus-galli than the root extract. Root exudate of TN1 inhibited root elongation of E. crus-galli from 2 weeks after transplanting (WAT) and the inhibition continued for 4 WAT. The results confirmed the previous finding of a laboratory bioassay that the TN1 had allelopathic activity and produced allelochemicals that inhibit growth of some weed species.     

Effects of the seed weight and burial depth on the seed behavior of common ragweed (Ambrosia artemisiifolia)

Common ragweed (Ambrosia artemisiifolia L.) is one of the annual plants that were described recently as invasive weeds in Europe. This species is described as an invasive plant that produces seeds that are highly variable. Its production of variably sized seeds is regarded as promoting its spread in different environments. Experiments were carried out to determine the influence of the seed weight and temperature on germination and the influence of the seed weight and burial depth on seedling emergence. The seeds were divided into a number of classes of weight and the seed weight effect on germination was evaluated by Petri dish assays. In another experiment, the seeds were buried at different depths in a clay soil/sand mix to estimate the burial effect on germination and seedling emergence. The germination level of A. artemisiifolia was high overall, between 76.8% and 94.2%. The seed germination was modified by temperature but it was not influenced by the seed weight. The amounts of germination and seedling emergence were greater for the seeds on the soil surface and decreased with an increasing burial depth, from 2 to 8 cm. No germination or emergence was observed for the seeds that were buried at 10 and 12 cm. The lightest seeds were more sensitive to burial. A greater level of seedling emergence for those seeds that were placed near the soil surface could explain the success of this species in open habitats, where the probability of deeper burial is low. After high seed production, the management of A. artemisiifolia in fields could be partly achieved through soil tillage, burying seeds below 10 cm, and not carrying out deep soil tillage the following year.     

Correlation between the soil seed bank and weed populations in maize fields

Annual weed populations establish every year from persistent seed banks in the soil. This 3 year study investigated the relationship between the number of weed seeds in the soil seed bank and the resultant populations of major broadleaf and grass weeds in 30 maize fields. After planting the crop, 1 m² areas were protected from the pre-emergence herbicide application. Soil samples were collected soon after spraying to a depth of 100 mm and the weed seeds therein were enumerated. The emerged weed seedlings in the field sampling areas were counted over the following 8 weeks. Up to 67 broadleaf species and five grass weeds were identified, although not all were found at every site and some were specific to a region or soil type. For the most abundant weeds in the field plots, on average 2.1–8.2% of the seeds of the broadleaf species and 6.2–11.9% of the seeds of the grass weeds in the soil seed bank emerged in any one year, depending on the species. Overall, the results showed a strong linear relationship between the seed numbers in the soil and the seedling numbers in the field for all the grasses and for most broadleaf weeds. For some species, like Trifolium repens , only a weak relationship was observed. In the case of Chenopodium album , which had the largest seed bank, there was evidence of asymptotic behavior, with seedling emergence leveling off at high seed numbers. An estimate of the soil seed bank combined with knowledge of the germination and behavior of specific weed species would thus have good potential for predicting future weed infestations in maize fields.     

小麦幼苗及其次生代谢产物丁布对杂草的异株克生活性

研究了小麦活体、小麦水提液及小麦次生代谢产物丁布对几种杂草的异株克生活性。小麦与马唐、反枝苋、野燕麦、早熟禾、稗草等杂草混播的盆栽试验呈现出小麦播种密度越大,杂草种子萌发率越低的趋势。小麦水提液对马唐、反枝苋、早熟禾、稗草、野燕麦根和茎的生长均有明显的异株克生作用,IC₅₀(根)<1.5 mg/mL,IC₅₀(茎)<3.0 mg/mL,而对黑麦草、圆叶牵牛无明显的抑制活性。除马唐外,小麦水提液对供试杂草种子萌发抑制效果不明显。小麦次生代谢产物丁布对3种不同杂草的根、茎总体抑制效果为反枝苋>马唐>野燕麦,IC₅₀(根、茎)<1.5mg/mL,IC₅₀(种子萌发)<3.5 mg/mL。比较IC₅₀可知,生物活性:丁布>小麦水提液。丁布是小麦中具有异株克生活性的次生代谢物。     

Comparison of the allelopathic effects and uptake of Fallopia japonica phytochemicals by Raphanus sativus

Fallopia japonica (Japanese Knotweed) is a prolific invader possessing several potentially allelopathic chemicals. The aim of this study was to determine whether four of these compounds inhibit the germination and growth of radish (Raphanus sativus) seedlings. Seeds were planted in potting soil and grown under glasshouse conditions for 2 weeks and the phytochemicals were gradually added to the soil over the course of the study. For all phytochemicals, there was no significant reduction in germination, plant heights, leaf widths or leaf lengths. However, plants treated with resveratrol, emodin and (–)‐epicatechin had significantly shorter root lengths than the control. Seedlings were dried and extracts were prepared with methanol. Extracts were tested via fluorescence spectrophotometry for uptake of the chemicals. Polydatin was detected at the highest concentration, with resveratrol and emodin detected at much lower concentrations. (–)‐Epicatechin was below the limits of detection. These results suggest that F. japonica may negatively impact the growth of other species and that multiple chemicals work together to give the plant a competitive advantage.     

Litter-mediated allelopathic effects of kudzu (Pueraria montana) on Bidens pilosa and Lolium perenne and its persistence in soil

This study investigated the allelopathic effects of kudzu litter on the seed germination and early growth of Bidens pilosa and Lolium perenne . The bioassays, with various concentrations (10, 20, 30, 40, and 50 g L⁻¹) of aqueous kudzu litter leachate, significantly affected the germination percentages and radicle growth of both species. These parameters decreased progressively when the seedlings were exposed to increasing concentrations of leachate. The root and shoot length, dry weight, and chlorophyll concentration of the B. pilosa and L. perenne seedlings also were significantly affected when they were grown in leachate-amended soil. However, the chlorophyll fluorescence values of the seedlings subjected to different concentrations of aqueous kudzu litter leachate indicated that the mere presence of leachate in the soil was not stressful for the plants. The seedlings of both species were under stressful conditions only when they were grown in the soil that was treated with higher concentrations of leachate (30, 40, or 50 g L⁻¹). A 6 week decomposition study of the kudzu litter in soil was conducted to observe the retention of phenolic content in the soil. The results showed that, although the concentration of dissolved organic carbon decreased with increasing decomposition, the phenolic concentration was not significantly affected when the observation period ended. This suggests that the phytotoxic properties of kudzu litter remain stable in soil systems for a considerable amount of time after incorporation into the soil.     

Crop cultivars with allelopathic capability

Allelopathy has potential in integrated weed management. Crop plants have the capability to produce and exude allelochemicals into their surroundings to suppress the growth of weeds in their vicinity. Selection for superior genotypes with allelopathic potential has been carried out in several field crops, and evidence has accumulated that crop cultivars differ significantly in their ability to inhibit the growth of certain weed species. To date, progress has been made in understanding the genetics of crop allelopathic activity, and successful genetic manipulation of this trait has also been demonstrated. However, much more research needs to be carried out in order to have a thorough understanding of the genetic control of allelopathic activity. Several genes might be involved in regulating the production and exudation of allelochemicals. Concerted efforts using advances in plant biotechnology will help to unveil the genetics of this trait. Once the allelopathic genes have been located, a breeding programme could be initiated to transfer the genes into modern cultivars to enhance their allelopathic activity for weed suppression, thereby reducing over-reliance on herbicides.     

刺果瓜甲醇提取物对植物化感作用的研究

为了利用入侵植物资源的化感作用开发植物源除草剂,以刺果瓜的根、茎为试验材料,研究其甲醇提取物(提取率分别是1.85%、1.73%)对苹果芥菜、白菜、谷子、亚麻的芽前、芽后抑制率。芽前试验结果表明:在10 mg/m L浓度下,得到发芽抑制率,苹果芥菜是24.01%、22.22%;白菜是30.80%、19.26%;谷子是20.68%、13.86%;亚麻均为10.00%。可以看出其甲醇提取物对种子萌发有一定影响。芽后试验结果表明:在10 000μg/m L浓度下,得到根长、茎长抑制率,苹果芥菜是38.01%、35.47%,52.69%、74.71%;亚麻是37.65%、35.90%,68.81%、20.14%;白菜是32.61%、36.85%,4.36%、53.34%;谷子是8.23%、10.96%,35.62%、32.12%。可以看出其甲醇提取物对幼苗生长有明显影响。芽前和芽后试验结果表明,刺果瓜根、茎甲醇提取物对苹果芥菜、亚麻、白菜和谷子有一定的抑制活性。