Chemical characteristics and phytotoxicity of root exudates from cover crops

Abstract

This work aimed to evaluate the influence of root exudates from cover crops: Raphanus sativus, Avena strigosa and Vicia villosa on the germination and development of Zea mays, Amaranthus spinosus and Ipomoea grandifolia. The tests performed were gas chromatography with mass spectrometry, germination rate, vigor, root protrusion and dry matter. Aliphatic amino acids (Alanine, Glycine, Isoleucine, Leucine, Proline, Serine, Threonine and Valine) were identified as well as phenylalanine and cinnamic acid. The root exudate of the cover crops tested affects negatively a number of tested parameters. The plants that had the greatest negative effect on the target plants were Avena strigosa and Vicia villosa. Raphanus sativus did not differ from the control group in maize, it inhibited the germination, vigor and growth of the Amaranthus spinosus and the Ipomoea grandifolia.