Abstract
The intensive application of agrochemicals in crops has negatively impacted the environment and other organisms. The use of naturally occurring compounds may be an alternative to mitigate these effects. Plants are secondary metabolite reservoirs and may present allelopathic activity, which is potentially interesting to be used in bioherbicide formulations. In this context, the present work aimed to evaluate the phytotoxic and cytotoxic effects of essential oils extracted from leaves of Sparattanthelium botocudorum and Sparattanthelium tupiniquinorum in bioassays with the plant models Lactuca sativa L. and Sorghum bicolor L. Moench. The essential oils were applied at concentrations of 3,000, 1,500, 750, 375 and 187.5 ppm. Chemical characterization of the oils was performed, and their impact on the percentage of germinated seeds, initial development of L. sativa and S. bicolor seedlings, and changes in the mitotic cycle of meristematic cells from L. sativa roots was evaluated. The major compound of the essential oils was germacrene D, followed by bicyclogermacrene, β-elemene and germacrene A. The phytotoxicity assay showed that the essential oils of both species reduced the root and shoot growth in L. sativa and decreased the germination and shoot growth in S. bicolor. Inhibition was dependent on the tested oil concentration. In the cytotoxicity assay, a decrease in mitotic index and chromosomal and nuclear alterations were observed, which resulted from aneugenic and clastogenic action.
Highlights
Herbicides, which are used for weed control[1], are among the most applied agrochemicals in crop fields
These substances can be a favorable source for the development of natural herbicides, which may contribute to reduce the environmental impact caused by commercial herbicides, and serve as plant growth s timulants[13,14,15,16]
By means of the chromatographic analyses, five compounds were identified in the essential oils of these species (Table 1)
Summary
Herbicides, which are used for weed control[1], are among the most applied agrochemicals in crop fields. It is necessary to find alternative methods for agricultural pest control[2,3] In this context, secondary metabolites may be of particular interest, as they can be directly or indirectly used in the development of new herbicides. Secondary metabolites may be of particular interest, as they can be directly or indirectly used in the development of new herbicides These compounds are produced by plants and comprise three major groups, which are found in extracts and essential oils: terpenoids, alkaloids and phenolic compounds[4,5]. The basal angiosperm families Hernandiaceae, Lauraceae and Piperaceae are well studied due to presenting essential oils The species of these families are relevant because they produce secondary metabolites with proven biological activities[17,18,19]. Moench (monocotyledon) are highly sensitive, enable the simultaneous analysis of various compounds, and exhibit high proliferation rate and rapid germination[5,25,27]
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