Phytotoxic Activity and Identification of Phytotoxic Substances from Schumannianthus dichotomus.

Md Mahfuzur Rob,Kawsar Hossen,Hisashi Kato-Noguchi,Kiyotake Suenaga,Arihiro Iwasaki

doi:10.3390/plants9010102

Md Mahfuzur Rob, Kawsar Hossen + Show 3 more

Open Access

https://doi.org/10.3390/plants9010102

Copy DOI

Abstract

The phytotoxic potential of plants and their constituents against other plants is being increasingly investigated as a possible alternative to synthetic herbicides to control weeds in crop fields. In this study, we explored the phytotoxicity and phytotoxic substances of Schumannianthus dichotomus, a perennial wetland shrub native to Bangladesh, India, and Myanmar. Leaf extracts of S. dichotomus exerted strong phytotoxicity against two dicot species, alfalfa and cress, and two monocot species, barnyard grass and Italian ryegrass. A bioassay-driven purification process yielded two phenolic derivatives, syringic acid and methyl syringate. Both constituents significantly inhibited the growth of cress and Italian ryegrass in a concentration-dependent manner. The concentrations required for 50% growth inhibition (I50 value) of the shoot and root growth of cress were 75.8 and 61.3 μM, respectively, for syringic acid, compared with 43.2 and 31.5 μM, respectively, for methyl syringate. Similarly, to suppress the shoot and root growth of Italian rye grass, a greater amount of syringic acid (I50 = 213.7 and 175.9 μM) was needed than methyl syringate (I50 = 140.4 to 130.8 μM). Methyl syringate showed higher phytotoxic potential than syringic acid, and cress showed higher sensitivity to both substances. This study is the first to report on the phytotoxic potential of S. dichotomus and to identify phytotoxic substances from this plant material.

Highlights

The success of agricultural production depends on the efficient management of different stress factors, including weed infestation
To evaluate the phytotoxic potential of the leaf extracts of S. dichotomus, a growth bioassay was conducted against four test plants: alfalfa, cress, barnyard grass, and Italian ryegrass
When the concentration was increased to 0.3 g dry weight equivalent extract/mL, the shoot lengths of alfalfa, barnyard grass, and Italian rye grass were stunted to 4.5%, 10.0%, and 11.4%

Summary

Introduction

The success of agricultural production depends on the efficient management of different stress factors, including weed infestation. Around 7000 weed species have been recognized so far, and possibly a couple of hundred cause problems in agricultural production [1]. Using natural compounds to control weeds has long been accepted as an environmentally friendly approach, but during the last four decades, farmers have mostly relied on toxic synthetic agrichemicals [2]. In recent years, demand for organic farming has markedly increased all over the world. This system aims to grow crops using natural products rather than external inputs, enhancing the reduction of toxic residues and providing safe food [3,4]. To ensure sustainable organic farming, it is essential to use diversified techniques to control weeds rather than synthetic herbicides. Plant species capable of suppressing the growth of other plants are excellent resources for weed control and could revolutionize sustainable

Objectives

Methods

Results

Discussion

Conclusion