Phytotoxic potential of young leaves from Blepharocalyx salicifolius (Kunth) O. Berg (Myrtaceae)

Abstract

The loss of leaves by plant species found in the Cerrado (Brazilian savanna) is an energetically expensive process due to adverse environmental conditions and predation by herbivory. The mature leaves have adaptations which minimize these events. However, the young individuals lack these structures and produce high leaf concentrations of secondary metabolites as a form of protection. These compounds can be used in bioprospection of natural herbicides. Thus, this study aimed to evaluate the phytotoxicity of hexane, ethyl acetate and aqueous extracts of young leaves from Blepharocalyx salicifolius (Kunth) O. Berg on the elongation of wheat coleoptiles (Triticum aestivum L.) and evaluate the potential phytotoxic of ethyl acetate extract on germination, growth and cell size of metaxylem of sesame (Sesamum indicum L.) seedlings. The hexane and ethyl acetate extracts inhibited the elongation of wheat coleoptiles at all concentrations; however, the most promising results were observed in coleoptile fragments treated with the ethyl acetate extract. This treatment changed the mean germination time and the synchrony of sesame seeds, inhibited the growth of shoots and roots, reduced the dry weight of seedlings, led to abnormalities in the seedlings and reduced the length of the metaxylem cells in the sesame seedlings. These results demonstrated the phytotoxic potential of young leaf extracts of B. salicifolius and the high phytotoxicity of the ethyl acetate extract in the initial development of S. indicum.Keywords: Triticum aestivum, Sesamum indicum, murta, allelopathy, bioactivity. Potencial fitotóxico de folhas jovens de

Phytotoxicity of organic extracts of five medicinal plants of the Neotropical savanna

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Chemical Composition and Biological Activities of the Essential Oils of Leptospermum petersonii and Eucalyptus gunnii

“…Instead, ethyl acetate extract of leaves of Blepharocalyx salicifolius (Kunth) had a high phytotoxic activity against Triticum aestivum L., Sesamum indicum L., Echinochloa crusgalli L. Beauv., and Euphorbia heterophylla L. (Habermann et al, 2015(Habermann et al, , 2016. Methanol extract of Eugenia flavescens DC leaves showed significant seed germination inhibition of Mimosa pudica and Senna obtusifolia (Cantanhede Filho et al, 2017).…”

Phytochemical Profile and Herbicidal (Phytotoxic), Antioxidants Potential of Essential Oils from Calycolpus goetheanus (Myrtaceae) Specimens, and in Silico Study

“…Studies highlight Myrtaceae as a source of compounds of biological interest against pests or pathogens due to its essential oil content [ 16 , 17 ]. With regard to the herbicidal properties of EOs, the search for alternative sources of natural origin to replace synthetic herbicides is increasing nowadays, as the excessive use of synthetic herbicides causes serious damage to human health and the environment, due to their high toxicity and low biodegradability [ 18 ].…”