Isolation and purification of growth‐inhibitors from Vietnamese rice cultivars

Bioactive compounds that are produced by select rice cultivars have the potential to control barnyardgrass, a major rice yield‐limiting factor. In this study, the Vietnamese rice cultivars, OM 3536, OM 4498 and OM 5930, were selected and their inhibitory activity on cress, lettuce, canola and barnyardgrass was evaluated by using donor–receiver bioassays. These bioassays revealed that OM 3536 and OM 5930 exerted the greatest inhibitory activity, with an average growth inhibition of 57.2% on the roots and shoots of barnyardgrass. A bioassay‐guided approach was used to identify the allelopathic fractions from OM 5930 and was coupled with reverse‐phase chromatography in order to isolate several growth‐inhibitory fractions. The effective dose of the aqueous methanol extract of the rice plants that was required for 50% inhibition (ID₅₀) of the shoot and root growth of the four test plant species, as determined by a logistic regression analysis, averaged 0.091 and 0.062 g mL^?1 for OM 5930 and 0.112 and 0.072 g mL^?1 for OM 3536, respectively. The ID₅₀ of the barnyardgrass roots and shoots in the assays, as determined by a logistic regression analysis, was 0.044 and 0.149 g mL^?1 for OM 3536 and 0.052 and 0.114 g mL^?1 for OM 5930, respectively. A growth‐inhibitory fraction in the aqueous methanol extract of OM 5930 was isolated and the inhibitory activity on lettuce seedlings was determined. At a concentration of 100 p.p.m., this growth‐inhibitor inhibited lettuce root growth by up to 80.2%, compared to the control plants. These findings demonstrate that the dried plant tissues of Vietnamese rice cultivars could contain bioactive compounds that strongly inhibit plant growth.     

Potential allelopathic effects of Mikania micrantha on the seed germination and seedling growth of Coix lacryma‐jobi

The allelopathic potential of Mikania micrantha H.B.K. to affect the seed germination and seedling growth of Coix lacryma‐jobi L. was investigated. Water‐soluble allelopathic substances were found in the water extracts of M. micrantha. The effect of the water extracts on the seed germination and seedling growth of C. lacryma‐jobi was concentration‐dependent. The water extracts from the different plant parts (leaf, stem, and root) of M. micrantha differed in their effect on the germination and seedling growth of C. lacryma‐jobi, with the effect of the leaf extract being the least inhibitory. The malondialdehyde (MDA) content in the C. lacryma‐jobi seedlings increased by 64%, 45%, and 52% of the control with increasing concentrations of the extracts of the root, stem, and leaf (80, 400, and 400 g L^?1, respectively). The extract from the M. micrantha roots significantly increased the catalase (CAT) activity of the C. lacryma‐jobi seedlings (48% and 54% of the control at the concentrations of 20 g L^?1 and 80 g L^?1, respectively). The extracts from the leaves and stems at low concentrations increased the CAT activity, but at high concentrations, the extracts decreased the CAT activity. The extracts from the roots, stems, and leaves at concentrations of 80, 400, and 400 g L^?1 also significantly decreased the peroxidase (POD) activity of the C. lacryma‐jobi seedlings to 27%, 52%, and 34% of the control, respectively. These results indicate that the water extracts of M. micrantha could inhibit the seed germination and seedling growth of C. lacryma‐jobi through the regulation of anti‐oxidase activity, such as POD and CAT in the cells. The growth inhibition of the C. lacryma‐jobi seedlings is probably related to injury after oxidization of the cell membranes with the increase of MDA content.     

Plant growth inhibitors in turmeric (Curcuma longa) and their effects on Bidens pilosa

Turmeric (Curcuma spp.) has numerous biological activities, including anticancer, antibacterial, antifungal and insecticidal properties. Here, we evaluated the plant growth‐inhibitory activities of two cultivars of Curcuma longa (C. longa ; Ryudai gold and Okinawa ukon) against radish, cress, lettuce and Bidens pilosa (B. pilosa ). The methanol extracts of both turmeric varieties inhibited the seed germination and seedling growth of all the tested plants. Ryudai gold had a significantly higher inhibitory effect on the seed germination and root and shoot growth of the plants than Okinawa ukon. Therefore, Ryudai gold was chosen for the isolation of plant growth‐inhibitory compounds using a silica gel column and high‐performance liquid chromatography. The structural identification of the compounds was carried out using ¹H NMR, ¹³C NMR and liquid chromatography–tandem mass spectrometry. The growth inhibitors were identified as four curcuminoids; dihydrobisdemethoxycurcumin ( 1 ), bisdemethoxycurcumin ( 2 ), demethoxycurcumin ( 3 ) and curcumin ( 4 ). The IC₅₀ of the curcuminoids against the root and shoot growth of B. pilosa ranged from 8.7 ± 1.7 to 12.9 ± 1.8 and from 15.5 ± 1.8 to 38.9 ± 2.8 μmol L^?1, respectively. Compound 1 showed the lowest IC₅₀ against the root and shoot growth of B. pilosa . These results suggested that Ryudai gold has a potential growth‐inhibitory effect against B. pilosa .     

Allelopathy and the active metabolites of the endophytic fungus,Alternaria J46, from Platycladus orientalis

The endophytic fungus, Alternaria J46, was isolated from the stem of the medicinal plant, Platycladus orientalis. A suspension of Alternaria J46 mycelial segments and the culture filtrates of the fungi exhibited marked seed germination inhibition against the monocot wheat, large crabgrass, bromegrass, rice and barnyardgrass and weak inhibition against the dicot redroot pigweed and morning glory, but it was safe for use on soybean, rape, cucumber, tomato, lettuce and radish crops. It is possible to use J46 culture filtrates in order to prevent monocot weeds in dicot cropland. Three active metabolites were isolated from an extract of the fungus cultures and elucidated as 3‐acetyl‐5‐sec‐butyltetramic acid (1, tenuazonic acid), 3‐acetyl‐5‐iso‐butyltetramic acid (2, vivotoxin II) and cyclo‐(L‐leucyl‐L‐proline) (3). Among these three compounds, compounds 1 and 2 showed significant phytotoxic effects on the seed germination of large crabgrass, while compound 3 exhibited weak activity, and all were safe for lettuce at 100 μg mL^?1. Accordingly, compounds 1 and 2 were the main active metabolites that were responsible for endophytic fungus Alternaria J46's strong seed germination inhibition against monocotyledons.     

Phytotoxic and antiphytopathogenic compounds from Thai Alpinia galanga (L.) Willd. rhizomes

The management of weeds and diseases that are caused by phytopathogenic fungi is important for preventing the loss of agricultural products. The aim of the present study was to identify phytotoxic and antiphytopathogenic agents from the Thai Alpinia galanga rhizome. Extracts of the dried rhizomes of A. galanga (Zingiberaceae) were separated and tested for phytotoxic activity against lettuce (Lactuca sativa L. cv. Great Lakes) and Italian ryegrass (Lolium multiflorum Lam. cv. Wasefudou) and for antiphytopathogenic activity against Alternaria porri, Colletotrichum gloeosporioides, Fusarium oxysporum and Phytophthora nicotianae. 1′‐Acetoxychavicol acetate ( 1 ) was identified as one of the main components, together with trans‐p‐coumaryl acetate ( 3 ) and trans‐p‐acetoxycinnamyl acetate ( 2 ). 1′‐Acetoxychavicol acetate ( 1 ) was solvolyzed with 2% EtOH to yield trans‐p‐coumaryl ethyl ether ( 6 ), trans‐p‐coumaryl acetate ( 3 ) and trans‐p‐coumaryl alcohol ( 5 ). 1′‐Acetoxychavicol acetate ( 1 ) completely inhibited the root growth of the lettuce seedlings at 50 μg mL^–1, but had a weaker inhibitory effect on the growth of Italian ryegrass. 1′‐Acetoxychavicol acetate also inhibited the growth of P. nicotianae and A. porri, with minimum inhibition concentration values of 15.6 and 31.5 μg mL^–1, respectively. The plant growth‐inhibitory activity and fungal growth‐inhibitory activity of trans‐p‐coumaryl acetate ( 3 ), trans‐p‐coumaryl ethyl ether, trans‐p‐coumaryl alcohol ( 5 ) and trans‐p‐acetoxycinnamyl acetate ( 2 ) were lower than those of 1′‐acetoxychavicol acetate. A structure–activity relationship suggested that the strong phytotoxic and antiphytopathogenic activity of 1′‐acetoxychavicol acetate relied on the 1′‐acetoxyl group.     

Nematicidal activity of the leaf powder and extracts of Myrtus communis against the root‐knot nematode Meloidogyne javanica

Nematicidal activity of the leaf powder, leaf extracts and formulated leaf extracts of Myrtus communis, an evergreen shrub that is widely distributed in Israel and other Mediterranean countries, was evaluated using the root‐knot nematode Meloidogyne javanica in in vitro and pot experiments. Leaf powder added to sand at 0·1% (w/w) reduced the number of juveniles recovered from the sand by more than 50%. Reduction in galling index and number of nematode eggs on tomato roots was also observed by incorporating the leaf powder at 0·1–0·4% (w/w) in the soil in pot experiments. Leaf powder extracts with methanol or ethanol showed the highest nematicidal activity among all extracts tested. Emulsifiable concentrates of leaf‐paste extract at a concentration as low as 0·005% (a.i., w/w) reduced the number of juveniles recovered from treated sand and the gall index of cucumber seedlings. The extract paste at 26 g m^?2 was also effective in reducing the gall index of tomato plants in field‐plot experiments. The leaf powder at 0·2% and the formulated leaf‐paste extract at 0·02% were also nematicidal to Tylenchulus semipenetrans and Ditylenchus dipsaci, but not to Pratylenchus penetrans or Steinernema feltiae. At least three nematicidal compounds were found in the leaf extract upon fractionation by thin‐layer chromatography. The results suggest that the leaf powder and paste extract of M. communis are potential nematicides against root‐knot nematodes.     

The allelopathic effect of three Amaranthus spp. (pigweeds) on wheat (Triticum durum)

The allelopathic effect of Amaranthus retroflexus L., Amaranthus blitoides S. Wats, and Amaranthus gracilis Desf. on wheat Triticum durum L. was investigated under laboratory, glasshouse and field conditions. Laboratory experiments showed that fresh shoot or root extract of the three weed species reduced germination, coleoptile length, root length and root dry weight of wheat seedlings. The inhibitory effects were rate dependent, with low concentrations of shoot extract promoting shoot growth of wheat. Fresh plant extracts were more phytotoxic than dried plant extracts and shoot extracts had higher detrimental effects than root extracts. In pot experiments, dried shoot extract of A. gracilis increased shoot and root dry weights of wheat seedlings. For A retroflexus and A. blitoides the extracts of these and dried shoots (8 g kg^?1), which had been added to soil mixtures significantly reduced ger-mination and growth of wheat seedlings. Addition of up to 16 g kg^?1 of A. gracilis residues promoted shoot growth of wheat and had no significant harmful effect on root growth. Roots appeared more sensitive to allelopathic effect than shoots. Under field conditions, incorporation of A. retroflexus or A. blitoides residues in the soil reduced height, grain and straw yield of wheat, whereas A. gracilis residues stimulated plant height and increased yield.     

Herbicidal potential and quantification of causative allelochemicals from several Compositae weeds

Compositae plants contain biologically active substances that are allelopathic to weed species. Aqueous extracts from leaves of 16 plants were bioassayed against lucerne (Medicago sativa) to determine their allelopathic effects, and the results showed the highest inhibition for the extracts from Lactuca sativa, Xanthium occidentale and Cirsium japonicum. The extracts applied to filter paper in Petri‐dish bioassay tests significantly inhibited root growth of lucerne. Extracts of 40 g dry tissue L^?1 from L. sativa, X. occidentale and C. japonicum were completely inhibitory to lucerne root growth, but hypocotyl growth of lucerne was less sensitive. Although allelopathic effects of methanol extracts were much less than those of coumarin or alachlor, early seedling growth of both lucerne and Echinochloa crus‐galli was significantly reduced by methanol extracts. Mixture of L. sativa, X. occidentale and C. japonicum extracts had more inhibitory effects on test plants than each single extract treatment. By means of high‐performance liquid chromatography, responsible causative allelopathic substances present in L. sativa, X. occidentale and C. japonicum were isolated from various fractions and identified as coumarin, trans‐cinnamic acid, o‐coumaric acid and p‐coumaric acid. These results suggest that some Compositae have various herbicidal potentials, and that their activities, types and amount of causative compounds differ, depending on the plant species.     

Acaricidal properties of piperazine and its derivatives against house‐dust and stored‐food mites

BACKGROUND: Piperazine derivatives possess pharmacological properties, yet the acaricidal activity of these compounds has not been investigated. This study was conducted to evaluate the colour alteration and acaricidal activity of piperazine derivatives against Dermatophagoides spp. and Tyrophagus putrescentiae (Schrank) using filter paper and fumigant methods. RESULTS: In a fumigant bioassay, 1‐phenylpiperazine (7.83 µg cm^?2) against D. farinae (Hughes) was found to be 4.7 times more toxic than DEET (36.84 µg cm^?2), followed by benzyl benzoate (9.72 µg cm^?2), piperazine (11.41 µg cm^?2), 1‐ethoxycarbonylpiperazine (20.14 µg cm^?2) and 1‐(2‐methoxyphenyl)piperazine (22.14 µg cm^?2). In a filter paper bioassay, 1‐(2‐methoxyphenyl)piperazine (3.65 µg cm^?2) was 5.7 times more toxic than DEET (20.64 µg cm^?2), followed by 1‐ethoxycarbonylpiperazine (4.02 µg cm^?2), 1‐phenylpiperazine (4.75 µg cm^?2), benzyl benzoate (7.83 µg cm^?2) and piperazine (10.59 µg cm^?2). Similar results have been exhibited with piperazine derivatives against D. pteronyssinus (Troussart). However, no activity against T. putrescentiae was observed for piperazine derivatives, except for piperazine. CONCLUSIONS: These results indicate that piperazine derivatives may be suitable as vapour‐phase acaricide fumigants owing to their high volatility, acaricidal activity and safety. 1‐Phenylpiperazine was found to be an excellent mite indicator based on the colour change it induced. Taken together, these findings indicate that piperazine derivatives may be used to replace existing problematical acaricides owing to their activity and ability to act as a mite indicator. Copyright © 2009 Society of Chemical Industry     

l‐DOPA inhibited the root growth of lettuce by inducing reactive oxygen species generation

l ‐3,4‐dihydroxyphenylalanine (l ‐DOPA) is a bioactive natural compound that inhibits the growth of several plant and weed species. However, its mode of action is not yet well understood in plants. The present study was conducted to explore the mechanism of growth inhibition by l ‐DOPA in lettuce (Lactuca sativa L.). The results revealed that l ‐DOPA induced cell death and inhibited the root growth of lettuce. Moreover, 0.1 mmol L^–1 l ‐DOPA enhanced the polyphenol oxidase activity, production of reactive oxygen species ( and H₂O₂) and lipid peroxidation in the lettuce roots. The results suggest that l ‐DOPA‐induced growth inhibition in lettuce roots might be related to oxidative stress.     

Biological responses of a non‐target aquatic plant (Nasturtium officinale) to the herbicide,tribenuron‐methyl

To assess its response to the herbicide, tribenuron‐methyl, samples of Nasturtium officinale were exposed to 0, 0.01, 0.05, 0.1, and 0.5 mg L^?1 of tribenuron‐methyl for 1, 2, 4 and 7 days. The influence of this herbicide on the relative growth rate, electrolyte leakage, lipid peroxidation, photosynthetic pigmentation, protein content, and performance of anti‐oxidant enzymes, such as superoxide dismutase (SOD), catalase, and ascorbate peroxidase (APX), was examined. The results indicated that tribenuron‐methyl, applied at 0.5 mg L^?1, affected plant growth negatively. It also was determined that chlorophyll a is the most responsive photosynthetic pigment to tribenuron–methyl exposure. Under stress conditions, the anti‐oxidant enzymes were up‐regulated compared to the control. The SOD activity was significantly stimulated, while the activity of APX was inhibited. A significant correlation was found between lipid peroxidation and SOD activity. The exposure period and herbicide concentration had significant effects on the biological responses against tribenuron‐methyl stress. These results may be useful for clarifying the effect of herbicides on non‐target aquatic plants.     

Sensitivity of Botrytis cinerea to chitosan and acibenzolar‐S‐methyl

BACKGROUND: The antifungal properties of chitosan and acibenzolar‐S‐methyl were evaluated to assess their potential for protecting grapes against Botrytis cinerea Pers.: Fr. isolated from Vitis vinifera L. The objectives were to determine the effects of these compounds on the in vitro development of B. cinerea and to assess their effectiveness at controlling grey mould on grapes stored at different temperatures. RESULTS: Both agents significantly inhibited the radial growth of this fungus species. The EC₅₀ was 1.77 mg mL^?1 for chitosan and 3.44 mg mL^?1 for acibenzolar‐S‐methyl. In addition, single grapes treated with aqueous solutions of chitosan (1.0 and 2.5 mg mL^?1) and acibenzolar‐S‐methyl (1.0 and 3.0 mg mL^?1) were inoculated with B. cinerea and incubated at both 4 and 24 °C. After 4 days at 24 °C, all the concentrations of chitosan and acibenzolar‐S‐methyl significantly reduced B. cinerea growth. However, at 4 °C, significant differences were only observed between chitosan at 2.5 mg mL^?1 and acibenzolar‐S‐methyl at both 1.0 and 3.0 mg mL^?1 and the corresponding controls. After 3 days at 24 °C, the greatest reduction in lesion size was obtained in grapes pretreated with acibenzolar‐S‐methyl at 3.0 mg mL^?1. Only the highest doses of these products significantly reduced the lesion diameters when grapes were stored for 3 days at 4 °C. CONCLUSIONS: Chitosan and acibenzolar‐S‐methyl could directly inhibit the growth of Botrytis cinerea in vitro and confer resistance on grapes against grey mould. Pretreatment with these compounds could be an alternative to traditional fungicides in post‐harvest disease control in grapes. Copyright © 2010 Society of Chemical Industry     

Evaluation of novel sulfonylurea derivatives with a fused heterocyclic moiety as paddy herbicides that control sulfonylurea‐resistant weeds

Herbicidal activity and acetolactate synthase (ALS) inhibition of sulfonylurea derivatives with a fused heterocyclic moiety bonded to a sulfonyl group were investigated. Some compounds that had an imidazo[1,2‐b]pyridazine moiety substituted at the 2‐position by chlorine or methyl controlled sulfonylurea‐resistant (SU‐R) weeds and showed inhibitory activity to ALS prepared from SU‐R Schoenoplectus juncoides shoot. There was a correlation between in vitro and whole‐plant herbicidal activity of the compounds mentioned above against SU‐R Schoenoplectus juncoides. Among them 1‐(2‐chloro‐6‐propylimidazo[1,2‐b]pyridazin‐3‐ylsulfonyl)‐3‐(4,6‐dimethoxypyrimidin‐2‐yl)urea, propyrisulfuron, was selected for further evaluation. Propyrisulfuron effectively controlled paddy weeds at doses of 70 and 140 g a.i. ha^?1 with good rice selectivity in a field trial.     

Activity against plant pathogenic fungi of phomalactone isolated from Nigrospora sphaerica

Phomalactone, 5,6‐dihydro‐5‐hydroxy‐6‐prop‐2‐enyl‐2H‐pyran‐2‐one, produced by the fungus Nigrospora sphaerica, was tested in vitro against nine plant pathogenic fungi, and specifically inhibited the mycelial growth of Phytophthora infestans, with an MIC value of 2.5 mg litre^?1. Its inhibitory activities against sporangium and zoospore germination of P infestans were similar to those against Phytophthora capsici. In vivo, at 100 and 500 mg litre^?1, it reduced the development of tomato late blight caused by P infestans. © 2001 Society of Chemical Industry     

Potential of barnyard grass to remediate arsenic‐contaminated soil

The present study investigated the arsenic (As) remediation potential of barnyard grass (Echinochloa crus‐galli L. Beauv. var. formosensis Ohwi), with a special focus on the behavior of As in the soil in comparison with rice (Oryza sativa L. cv. Nipponbare). For both plants, very little growth inhibition was observed in the As‐contaminated soil. The amount of As in the soil was reduced by the plant's uptake and the level of As in the soil water from the rice‐growing pots was remarkably lower than that in the plant‐free soil water. In the soil with the barnyard grass, the amount of As in the soil water was higher than that in the plant‐free soil water, but the amount of As in the soil and the amount of As that was adsorbed on the soil solid were reduced by the plant's uptake. At the highest As level in the soil (100 mg kg^?1), 249.60 and 101.26 µg As pot^?1 were taken up by the rice shoot and barnyard grass shoot, respectively, and total amounts of 1468.65 and 1060.57 µg As pot^?1 were taken up by the barnyard grass and rice seedlings, respectively. At the same As level in the soil, the As concentrations were 14.99 and 37.76 µg g^?1 in the shoot of barnyard grass and rice, respectively, and 486.61 and 339.32 µg g^?1 in the root of barnyard grass and rice, respectively. Barnyard grass took up more As than rice, but the As concentration in the shoot of barnyard grass was lower than that in the shoot of rice. A considerable amount of As was taken up by both barnyard grass and rice, suggesting that the plant species have the potential to remediate As‐contaminated soil.     

Non‐pathogenic rhizosphere bacteria belonging to the genera Rhizorhapis and Sphingobium provide specific control of lettuce corky root disease caused by species of the same bacterial genera

Lettuce corky root (CR) is caused by bacteria in the genera Rhizorhapis, Sphingobium, Sphingopyxis and Rhizorhabdus of the family Sphingomonadaceae. Members of this family are common rhizosphere bacteria, some pathogenic to lettuce. Sixty‐eight non‐pathogenic isolates of bacteria obtained from lettuce roots were tested for control of CR caused by Rhizorhapis suberifaciens CA1^T and FL1, and Sphingobium mellinum WI4^T. In two initial screenings, 10 isolates significantly reduced CR induced by one or more pathogenic strains on lettuce seedlings in vermiculite, while seven non‐pathogenic isolates provided significant CR control in natural or sterilized field soil. Rhizorhapis suberifaciens FL11 was effective at controlling all pathogenic strains, but most effective against R. suberifaciens CA1^T. The other selected isolates controlled only pathogenic strains belonging to their own genus. In a greenhouse experiment, a soil drench with selected biocontrol agents (R. suberifaciens FL11, Sphingomonas sp. NY3 and S. mellinum CA16) controlled CR better than seed treatments or application of alginate pellets. In microplots infested with R. suberifaciens CA1^T, seed treatment with R. suberifaciens FL11 provided complete control and a soil drench with FL11 significantly reduced the disease. Pathogenicity tests with FL11 on 23 plant species in 10 families resulted in slight yellowing on roots of lettuce and close relatives; similar yellowing appeared on some roots of non‐inoculated lettuce plants. This research showed that biocontrol agents can be genus‐specific. Only one isolate, FL11, provided more general control of various pathogenic strains causing CR even in field soil in pots and microplots.     

In vitro and in planta nematicidal activity of Fumaria parviflora (Fumariaceae) against the southern root‐knot nematode Meloidogyne incognita

Root and stem extracts of Fumaria parviflora showed strong nematicidal activity against Meloidogyne incognita in in vitro and in planta experiments. Phytochemical screening of F. parviflora revealed the presence of seven classes of bioactive compounds (alkaloids, flavonoids, glycosides, tannins, saponins, steroids and phenols). Quantitative determination of the plant extracts showed the highest percentages of alkaloids (0·9 ± 0·04) and saponins (1·3 ± 0·07) in the roots and total phenolic contents in the stem (16·75 ± 0·07 μg dry g^?1). The n‐hexane, chloroform, ethyl acetate and methanol extracts of roots and stems at concentrations of 3·12, 6·24, 12·5, 25·0 and 50·0 mg mL^?1, significantly inhibited hatching and increased mortality of second‐stage juveniles (J2s) compared with water controls. Percentage J2 mortality and hatch inhibition were directly related to exposure time. In pot trials with tomato cv. Rio Grande, root and stem extracts at concentrations of 1000, 2000 and 3000 ppm, applied as soil drenches, significantly reduced the number of galls, galling index, eggs masses, eggs and reproduction factor compared with the water control. Regardless of concentration, all the extracts significantly increased the host plant growth parameters studied. The n‐hexane extracts from the roots and stem were the most active, followed by the methanol ones, at all concentrations. The in vitro and in planta results suggest that extracts from the roots and stem of F. parviflora may be potential novel nematicides.     

Plant growth inhibitory activity and active substances with allelopathic potential of cogongrass (Imperata cylindrica) rhizome

Cogongrass (Imperata cylindrica [L.] Raeusch.) is a perennial rhizomatous grass that belongs to the Poaceae and is widely distributed in tropical, subtropical and temperate regions over the world. The grass is strongly invasive and is suggested to have allelopathic potential. However, limited information is available on allelopathic substances in cogongrass rhizomes. Therefore, the allelopathic potential and substances in cogongrass rhizomes were investigated. The extracts of cogongrass rhizomes inhibited the root and shoot growth of barnyard grass, ryegrass, timothy, cress, lettuce and alfalfa. After bioassay‐guided separations of the extracts, four growth inhibitory substances, 5‐methoxyflavone, 5,2′‐dimethoxyflavone, methyl caffeate and abscisic acid, were isolated. 5‐Methoxyflavone, 5,2′‐dimethoxyflavone and methyl caffeate significantly inhibited the root and shoot growth of cress at concentrations of ≥0.03–0.3 m mol L^?1 and their concentrations required for 50% growth inhibition were 0.079–0.24, 0.23–1.1 and 0.59–0.88 m mol L^?1, respectively. The other isolated substance, abscisic acid, has been reported to have strong growth inhibitory activity. Its concentrations required for 50% growth inhibition on cress were 0.31–0.61 μ mol L^?1. The present study suggests that cogongrass rhizomes might have allelopathic potential and that those four substances might contribute to that potential.     

Phytotoxic activity of Chinese violet (Asystasia gangetica (L.) T. Anderson) and two phytotoxic substances

Chinese violet (Asystasia gangetica (L.) T. Anderson) is a perennial invasive weed belonging to Acanthaceae. Leaves of this weed have been suggested to possess phytotoxic activity. However, phytotoxic substances in this weed have not yet been reported. Therefore, the present study investigated phytotoxic activity of Chinese violet extracts and phytotoxic substances. The extracts of Chinese violet leaves inhibited the root and shoot growth of cress, lettuce, alfalfa, barnyard grass, ryegrass, and timothy, where the level of inhibition increased with increasing extract concentrations. Bioassay‐guided separations of the extracts led to isolation of two phytotoxic substances, indole‐3‐carboxaldehyde and (6R,9S)‐3‐oxo‐α‐ionol. Indole‐3‐carboxaldehyde significantly inhibited the root and shoot growth of cress at concentrations ≥100 and 30 μmol L^?1, respectively, and concentrations of the substance required for 50% growth inhibition were 210 and 127 μmol L^?1 for cress roots and shoots, respectively. The other substance, (6R,9S)‐3‐oxo‐α‐ionol, was reported to have strongly inhibited cress roots and shoots. The present results suggest that Chinese violet contains two phytotoxic substances indole‐3‐carboxaldehyde and (6R,9S)‐3‐oxo‐α‐ionol, and those substances may play an important role in the phytotoxic activity of Chinese violet.     

Involvement of heme synthesis in the growth stimulation of maize seedlings by 5‐aminolevulinic acid

The growth of maize seedlings was stimulated by shoot‐applied 5‐aminolevulinic acid 2 days after treatment at 90 and 120 μmol L^?1. The effects of 5‐aminolevulinic acid on the activity of nitrate reductase (EC 1.6.6.2) and nitrite reductase (EC 1.7.7.1) and the chlorophyll, ammonium, heme and total free amino acid content were investigated by using maize seedlings to clarify the involvement of nitrogen metabolism and heme synthesis in the growth stimulation. 5‐Aminolevulinic acid increased the level of nitrate reductase activity at 90 μmol L^?1 and the ammonium and heme content at 90 and 120 μmol L^?1 2 days after treatment. The total amino acid content increased by 90 and 150 μmol L^?1 5‐aminolevulinic acid 2 and 3 days after treatment, respectively. However, no significant change was observed in the activity of nitrite reductase or the chlorophyll content after the 5‐aminolevulinic acid treatment. These results suggest that the enhancement of nitrogen metabolism by nitrate reductase activation is involved in the 5‐aminolevulinic acid‐induced stimulation of maize seedling growth. The activation of nitrate reductase might be related to an increase in the heme content following the 5‐aminolevulinic acid treatment.