Evaluation of Potential Volatile Allelopathic Plants from Bangladesh, with Sapindus mukorossi as a Candidate Species

Abstract

This study focuses on identifying volatile emissions from plants with potential plant growth inhibitory activity. The aim of this study was to evaluate plant species from the Asian country Bangladesh for new, potential volatile allelopathic species. A total of 103 plant samples from 40 different families were assessed with the dish pack (DP) method. About 25% of the evaluated plant samples influenced (inhibited or stimulated) the growth of lettuce, due to the presence of potentially volatile allelochemicals. The pericarp of Sapindus mukorossi Gaertn. caused the lowest radicle elongation (3% of control) of the lettuce. This was followed by the leaves of Cassia nodosa Roxb. (34.4%) and the root of Kaempferia galangal L. (43.4%), in that order. Therefore, the pericarp of S. mukorossi is reported from this study as a new potential volatile allelopathic species. On the contrary, the leaves of Gynostemma pentaphyllum Thunb. had a stimulatory effect on the hypocotyl elongation of lettuce seedlings (156% of control). The single petri dish (SPD), a new method, was also adapted to justify the potentiality of the growth control of particular allelopathic species. This study revealed that the new potentially volatile allelopathic plant species could be further explored in sustainable weed management.Agronomy 2020, 10, 49 2 of 16 cyclones, extreme temperature increase, flooding, and drought could reduce rice and wheat production by 8% and 32%, respectively, when compared to yield in the 1990s [2].In recent years, improved and health-conscious crop protection technologies, coupled with high food demand with limited arable land, have become an indispensable concern in Bangladesh. Protection of field crops from weeds, diseases, and other crop pests are part of the critical factors for sustainable crop production. Weed management strategy plays a vital role and directly influences food security and productivity worldwide. Studies in 2006 and 2015 reported that about 34% of yield loss occurred due to the interference of weeds compared to other pests [3,4]. Rice is the major food in Bangladesh and mostly cultivated all over the country [5]. Mamun [6] reported that weeds reduced the yield of rice productivity in the range of 68%-100% for Aus rice, 16%-48% in Aman rice, and 22%-36% in Boro rice. Weeds compete directly with the crops for space, nutrition, light, and moisture. Hence, the physiological activity and growth of crop plants are significantly affected by weed interference [4,7].In managing weed interference, the extensive use of synthetic herbicides have led to the emergence of herbicide resistant/tolerant weeds [8]. Currently, there are about 256 weed species that have developed resistance to different herbicide sites of action [9]. Consequently, there is the need to diversify the herbicide application practices or identify new herbicide sites of action. The natural process of releasing bioactive secondary metabolites from organisms (plants, microbes, insects, fungus, algae), and the subsequent interaction with another orga...

Phytotoxic Activity and Growth Inhibitory Substances from Albizia richardiana (Voigt.) King & Prain

“…It implies the reliable maintenance of agricultural practices for assessing and implementing sustainable crop cultivation. Protecting different field crops against weeds, other crop pests, and diseases is the key factor for the sustainable production of crops [3]. Weeds directly contend with crops for space, light, nutrition, and humidity.…”

Laboratory and Field Evaluation of the Phytotoxic Activity of Sapindus mukorossi Gaertn Pulp Extract and Identification of a Phytotoxic Substance

“…Recent studies have revealed that the extracts of S. mukorusii can inhibit the growth and germination of tested plants, and several active compounds (such as oleanolic acid, lupeol, d-pinitol, hexadecanoic acid and octadecanoic acid) have been identified in the leaf extract [ 13 , 27 ]. The volatiles from the pericarp of S. mukorossi can inhibit radicle elongation (3% of control) of lettuce [ 28 ].…”