Polyphenolic Composition and Allelopathic Potential of Senna cearensis Afr. Fern. (Fabaceae)

Abstract

Chemical compounds from the secondary metabolism of a plant, termed as allelochemicals, may interfere with the germination and/or development of other plant species, a phenomenon known as allelopathy. The aim of this study was to analyze the allelopathic potential of the Senna cearensis Afr. Fern. aqueous extract at various concentrations, collected from an area in the Chapada do Araripe during two different seasons (dry and rainy), on Lactuca sativa L. and Cenchrus echinatus L. seeds and seedlings, in addition to analysing the extract’s phytochemical prospection. The bioassays were conducted in a germination chamber at 25 °C with a 12h photoperiod and consisted of four treatments (extract at 12.5%, 25%, 50% and 100%) and a control group (distilled water). The variables analyzed were: seed germination, germination speed index, radicle length and caulicle seedling length. The means from each variable were submitted to an analysis of variance and compared using Tukey’s test (p<0.05), through the ASSISTAT. Quantitative prospection of the extract was performed using HPLC-DAD. The extracts reduced L. sativa seed germination, however it did not affect C. echinatus seeds. The extracts caused a reduction in germination rate and presented inhibitory effects on seedling development for both receptor species. Quercitrin was the major compound in both extracts. The allelopathic activity of the S. cearensis aqueous leaf extract collected during dry or rainy periods may be a viable alternative for weed control. Further studies addressing fractionation for separation and the possible isolation of substances responsible for the observed allelopathic activity are necessary.

Assessment of Allelopathic Potential of Senna garrettiana Leaves and Identification of Potent Phytotoxic Substances

“…have been shown to possess antimalarial, antidiabetic, antimicrobial, antioxidant, anti-inflammatory, analgesic, antitumor, antinociceptive, and anticancer properties [19]. Notably, several members of this genus also have allelopathic potential and contain potent phytotoxic substances [7,20].…”

Alelopatia de espécies da Caatinga

“…Em função da época do ano em que as folhas de Mimosa bimucronata (DC) OK. foram coletadas e da espécie alvo, observou-se que os extratos aquosos das folhas inibiram a germinação de algumas espécies de hortícolas (Jacobi & Ferreira, 1991). Torquato et al (2020) verificaram inibição do desenvolvimento de plântulas de alface e Cenchrus echinatus L., por ocasião do uso de extrato aquoso de folhas de Senna cearensis Afr. Fern., as quais foram coletadas durante os períodos seco e chuvoso.…”

“…Dentro desse contexto, Silva et al (2020) verificaram efeito inibitório de extratos aquosos das folhas de Capparis hastata e Piptadenia moniliformis, sobre o processo de germinação e estabelecimento inicial de M. hostilis. O mesmo foi observado por Torquato et al (2020) por ocasião da submissão de diásporos de alface e C. echinatus L., aos extratos aquosos de S. cearensis. Araújo et al (2021) também constataram fitotoxidez à germinação das sementes e emergência das plântulas de M. caesalpiniifolia, por ocasião do emprego de extratos foliares de Cenostigma bracteosum, a partir da concentração de 5%.…”

Leaching from leaves of Sarcomphalus joazeiro and Cenostigma bracteosum stimulate or inhibit the germination of Mimosa caesalpiniifolia?

“…Fern. (Fabaceae) (Torquato et al, 2020) and interactions between Pityrocarpa moniliformis (Benth.) Luckow & R.W.…”