Herbicide Activity of Extracts from Ailanthus Altissima (Simaroubaceae)

Abstract

The purpose of the present study was to isolate and characterize ailanthone-rich materials from the bark of the deciduous tree Ailanthus altissima (Mill.) Swingle and to assess their herbicide activity on selected herbaceous species. Ailanthone-rich fractions were obtained from A. altissima bark by extraction with dichloromethane and ethyl acetate and subsequent purification of these crude extracts, and of the remaining water mixture after solvent extraction, by means of gel permeation chromatography. A number of fractions were isolated and characterized for ailanthone content. A dichloromethane fraction was shown to contain 92% w/w of ailanthone, as demonstrated by HPLC and NMR analysis. A significant pre-emergence herbicide activity was found for most of the extracts which was directly correlated to ailanthone concentration. A remarkable combined pre- and post-emergence herbicide activity was found for a specific fraction. These results indicate that the bark of A. altissima may represent an interesting source for the production of natural herbicides for use in agriculture.

Review on Invasive Tree of Heaven (Ailanthus altissima (Mill.) Swingle) Conflicting Values: Assessment of Its Ecosystem Services and Potential Biological Threat

“…In recent years, big efforts have been made to find more environmentally friendly and naturally occurring bioactive compounds for potential development in weed-control programs in agriculture and environment management (Pedersini et al 2011). However, even if much interest exists in using products to control weeds in agroecosystems, few products have actually been developed into commercial herbicides (Cutler and Cutler 1999).…”

“…In 1998, Pachlatko stated that, in the future, many more new natural products useful for crop protection will be identified from diverse natural sources and that it is likely that biotechnology will significantly expand its influence on crop protection. This was a good prediction; nowadays, organic and synthetic pesticides are essential for agricultural and forestry management systems, but these chemicals have important drawbacks, such as toxicity, in particular for human health and environmental impact (Pedersini et al 2011).…”

“…Only one of 46 tested species (Fraxinus americana L.) showed no reaction to the extracts. To date, this toxicity has been proven to affect many other plants, including weed, crops, and trees, through preemergence and postemergence treatments (Mergen 1959;Heisey 1990aHeisey , 1996Pedersini et al 2011;Lin et al 1995). In the preemergence treatments, all species were reduced in germination and growth at the highest doses of extracts application, but dicots tended to be more sensitive than monocots (all dicots were significantly reduced in shoot biomass and seedling emergence with the lowest applied dose), while with the postemergence treatment, herbicidal effects were even more evident, causing damage, inhibiting growth or killing the plant (Heisey 1996).…”

“…Among these quassinoids, ailanthone has been reported to account for up to 0.01 % of the dried bark (Pedersini et al 2011). It was first isolated and identified from A. altissima in 1964.…”

“…,Pedersini et al (2011), De Feo et al (2003), De Feo et al (2009), Lin et al (1995,Kožuharova et al (2014),Albouchi et al (2013),Tsao et al (2002),Lü and Shi …”