Bio-efficacy of some leaf extracts on the inhibition of egg hatching and mortality of Meloidogyne incognita

Nematicidal activities of extracts from plants were assayed against Meloidogyne incognita in vitro. Leaves of six different plants were collected in and around Aligarh Muslim University Campus. Aqueous extracts of six plants were screened for egg hatchability and nematicidal activity against second stage juveniles of M. incognita in the plant pathology and nematology laboratory, AMU Aligarh. The nematode egg and juveniles were exposed 12, 24 and 48 h in (S, S/2, S/10, S/100) concentrations of plant extracts. The plant extracts of leaves of six plants species viz. Jatropha pandurifolia, Polyalthia longifolia, Wedelia chinensis, Nerium indicum, Duranta repens and Cassia fistula exhibited highly promising mortality of 99.00–72.00% after 48 h of exposure. Aqueous extracts of leaves of J. pandurifolia, P. longifolia, W. chinensis were recorded to be highly effective for inhibition of egg hatching and increasing juvenile mortality of M. incognita. There was a gradual decrease in egg hatching and increase in mortality rate of juveniles of M. incognita with increase in the concentration of leaf extract and exposure time.     

Nematicidal activity of silver nanoparticles of botanical products against root-knot nematode,Meloidogyne incognita

Current study investigated the nematicidal activity of leaf extracts of Conyza dioscoridis, Melia azedarach, and Moringa oleifera that were prepared as silver nanoparticles (Ag-NP). The characterisation and size confirmation of the Ag-NP were done by UV–vis spectrophotometry and the scanning electron microscopy (SEM). The phytochemical contents of crude extracts and the nano formulations were analysed using gas chromatography-mass spectroscopy (GC-MS). Results revealed that silver nanoparticles of C. dioscoridis extractives had great nematicidal activity against the 2^nd stage juvenile (J2) and eggs of Meloidogyne incognita. Also, the Ag-NP showed similar nematicidal effect to the reference nematicide; rugby. The GC-MS analysis revealed the increase of certain metabolites due to the formulation of the Ag-NPs. Aromadendrene, 1-hydroxy-1,7-dimethyl-4-isopropyl-2,7-cyclodecdiene, 6-epi-shyobunol, 4-hexylacetophenone, β-isocomene, caryophyllene, β- and α-selinene, α-cadinol, berkheyaradulen, and bis-(2-ethylhexyl)phthalate were increased more than 2.5-folds in the Ag-NP compared the extract. Therefore, the green synthesis of metal nanoparticles might be a safe, effective and affordable nematicide alternatives.     

红薯叶片浸提液对5种主要农田杂草种子萌发及幼苗生长的化感作用

以发芽率、发芽势、根长、茎长和鲜重变化为种子萌发和幼苗生长参数,研究了作物红薯叶片水浸液对云南省农田5种恶性杂草牛膝菊、藿香蓟、鬼针草、马唐和稗草的化感作用。结果表明,红薯叶片水浸液对5种受体杂草种子发芽率的影响不明显,但对发芽势有显著抑制作用。牛膝菊、藿香蓟、鬼针草和马唐的根长和生物量随红薯叶片水浸液浓度增加而显著降低,其中对马唐的抑制最强,高浓度0.1 g/m L时对根长和生物量抑制率分别为92.04%和73.33%,而低浓度0.0125 g/m L时分别为40.99%和46.67%;其次为鬼针草、藿香蓟、牛膝菊;最差的是稗草,随浓度的变化趋势均不明显。随红薯叶片水浸液浓度增加牛膝菊、鬼针草和马唐的茎长显著地降低,其中对马唐的抑制最强,高浓度0.1 g/m L和低浓度0.0125 g/m L时分别为86.85%和70.64%;其次为鬼针草和牛膝菊;相反藿香蓟和稗草的茎长随浓度增加而显著增加,高浓度0.1 g/m L和低浓度0.0125 g/m L时对藿香蓟的促进率分别为86.97%和16.03%。红薯叶片水浸液低浓度0.0125 g/m L时对牛膝菊的茎长和生物量有促进作用(低促高抑)。从化感作用响应指数和综合效应指数的综合对比来看,红薯对牛膝菊、藿香蓟、鬼针草、马唐具有显著的化感抑制作用,随浓度增加其抑制能力显著增加;其中对马唐的为最强,其次为鬼针草、牛膝菊和藿香蓟,相反对稗草具有促进作用(除了浓度0.1 g/m L)。所有这些表明,红薯叶片水浸液对5种杂草化感作用的敏感性趋势总体为:马唐鬼针草牛膝菊藿香蓟,最不敏感或者具有促进作用的是稗草。     

Evaluation of common cocklebur Xanthium strumarium leaf extract as post‐harvest grain protectant of black gram against pulse beetle Callosobruchus chinensis (Coleoptera: Bruchidae) and isolation of crude compound

The pulse beetle Callosobruchus chinensis L. is considered the most important stored grain pest of black gram Vigna mungo Hepper in Bangladesh and other tropical and subtropical countries. Bioactive compounds derived from plants can be used to control of the pulse beetle as a potential alternative to synthetic insecticides. Therefore, aqueous extracts of common cocklebur Xanthium strumarium L. leaf was examined for insecticidal properties against C. chinensis. The extracts showed toxicity, repellent properties, inhibited fecundity and adult emergence of the insects, and protected grains. Insect mortality was accounted highest (72.6%) with 4% extract at 4 days after treatment. The beetles showed highest repellency rate (58.0%) with 4% concentration at 1 hour exposure; however insect repellency decreased with time. The beetles exerted the lowest fecundity and grain damage and produced the lowest number of offspring when they were reared on grains treated with 4% extract. The insecticidal compounds present in common cocklebur leaf were extracted in chloroform and ethanol, and isolated by thin layer chromatography (TLC) and spectral studies (¹H‐NMR and IR), which identified the presence of aromatic ester, n‐hexyl salicylate or o‐hydroxy‐n‐hexyl‐benzoate and a long‐chain ketone. Therefore, naturally occurring X. strumarium and its derivatives may be potential components for integrated management of C. chinensis.     

Status, invasiveness and environmental threats of three tropical American invasive weeds (Parthenium hysterophorus L., Ageratum conyzoides L., Lantana camara L.) in India

Invasive weeds have threatened the integrity of ecosystems throughout the world. They affect not only the species diversity of native areas but also their biological integrity. In India, a number of invasive exotic weeds have been reported but some viz. Parthenium hysterophorus, Lantana camara and Ageratum conyzoides, especially those from tropical America are troublesome and have caused adverse ecological, economic and social impact. These weeds can be seen growing in different landscapes but are luxuriantly localized in unattended forests and cultivated areas. Parthenium hysterophorus (Asteraceae, commonly known as congress grass) is perhaps the most troublesome and noxious weed of urban and rural India. Besides rapidly colonizing areas replacing the native vegetation, it is also known to cause a number of human health problems such as skin allergy, rhinitis and irritation to eyes of the residents in the vicinity. Likewise, it causes fodder scarcity in addition to being unpalatable and toxic to livestock. Lantana camara (Verbenaceae), another serious tropical American pest, has encroached upon large areas of land, especially the forests where it has virtually replaced the forest floor vegetation and reduced tree growth. Also because of its bushy and spreading type of growth it obstructs forest operations. The third weed, Ageratum conyzoides (Asteraceae, Billy goat weed) has invaded agricultural fields. It interferes with crops and causes yield reductions of major staple crops of India. When it invades rangeland areas, it out competes native grasses causing scarcity of fodder. These weeds have similar growth strategies such as fast growth rates, short life-cycles, greater reproductive potential, high competitive abilities and allelopathy that make them successful invaders of native habitats. Mechanical, chemical, biological and cultural control tactics have failed individually, though integrated approaches combining all these approaches along with community participation and proper land management have been relatively successful. This paper presents various aspects of biology, ecology, hazards and control measures of these weeds.     

Control of storage rot of cassava tuber caused by Rhizopus oryzae using some plant extracts

Abstract

The potency of Piper nigrum seed and leaf, Aframomum meleguata seed and Ageratum conyzoides leaf extracts in the control of cassava tuber rot caused by Rhizopus oryzae was investigated. Water, ethanol and petroleum ether were used as extracting solvents. These extracts were fungitoxic both in vitro and in vivo against the test pathogen. P. nigrum seed extracts were the best followed by those of A. meleguata seed, A. conyzoides leaf and then P. nigrum leaf. The extracts were more effective in controlling rot development in unwounded than wounded tubers especially when they were applied before inoculation with the test pathogen. Ethanol extracts gave the highest growth inhibition in vivo followed by water and the petroleum ether extract whereas water extracts showed marked superiority over the extracting solvents in checking rot development in cassava tuber. Water and ethanol extracts of P. nigrum seed and leaf, A. meleguata seed and A. conyzoides leaf could be used as pesticide of plant origin in the control of R. oryzae causing cassava tuber rot in storage.     

Foraging Relationships Between Elephants and Lantana camara Invasion in Mudumalai Tiger Reserve,India

Lantana camara is a widespread exotic invasive species in India, capable of dominating and displacing native forage species. We investigated whether L. camara was associated with variation in elephant foraging behavior in Mudumalai Tiger Reserve, India. The behavioral responses of elephants to L. camara were assessed from feeding and stepping rates. Elephants were never observed to feed on L. camara, but rather fed on grass and browse present within and around L. camara patches. A multiple regression analysis showed that feeding rates were negatively associated with L. camara invasion (F_{1, 55} = 4.26, R² = 0.07), but not stepping rates. Instead, grass cover and browse density were associated with stepping rates (F_{2, 55} = 11.16, R² = 0.30). Path analysis indicated that the total effect of L. camara on feeding rates was 11 percent (β = ?0.24) less than the direct negative association (β = ?0.27) owing to a positive indirect association of L. camara with feeding rates through grass cover and browse density (β = 0.03), while stepping rates were negatively associated with grass cover (β = ?0.39) and positively associated with browse density (β = 0.38). Our results indicate that L. camara appears capable of modifying feeding rates of elephants, likely through a loss of grass areas due to L. camara invasion. Experimental work is needed to test for causal relationships among the variables we measured, to enhance our understanding of how invasive weeds modify elephant behavior.     

Nature of interference potential of leaf debris of Ageratum conyzoides

The present study investigated the allelopathic interference of leaf debris of Ageratum conyzoides (billy goat weed; Asteraceae)—a weed of cultivated land—against rice (Oryza sativa). Seedling length and dry weight of rice were significantly reduced (16–20%) in soil from A. conyzoides infested fields compared to the soil from an area devoid of the weed. It indicated the presence of certain phytotoxins in the A. conyzoides infested soil. To explore the possible contribution of the weed in releasing these phytotoxins, growth studies involving leaf debris extracts and amended soils (prepared by incorporating leaf debris—5, 10, 20 g kg⁻¹ soil, w/w, or its extracts—0.5%, 1.0% and 2.0%, v/v) were conducted. The growth of rice was severely inhibited in A. conyzoides leaf debris- and debris extract-amended soils compared to unamended control soil. A significant amount of water-soluble phenolics, the potent phytotoxins, was found in the A. conyzoides infested soil, leaf debris, and debris-amended soils. These phenolics were identified as gallic acid, coumalic acid, protocatechuic acid, catechin and p-hydroxybenzoic acid. Among these, protocatechuic acid was in the maximum amount (35.72%) followed by coumalic acid (33.49%) and these two accounted for >69% of total phenolic compounds. Further, there was a significant increase in the available nutrient content in soil amended with A. conyzoides leaf debris thus ruling out the possibility of any resource depletion upon residue incorporation and their negative role in causing growth reduction. Based on the observations, the present study concludes that leaf debris of A. conyzoides deleteriously affects the early growth of rice by releasing water-soluble phenolic acids into the soil environment and not through soil nutrient depletion.     

入侵植物藿香蓟与常见伴生杂草的生态位特征

基于传统生态位理论的生物入侵机制假说认为外来种和土著种生态位的差异是决定入侵成功与否和危害程度的关键。藿香蓟(Ageratum conyzoides L.)是一种在我国南方快速蔓延的恶性入侵种。为了了解藿香蓟与其他杂草在群落中的生态关系,探究造成藿香蓟成功入侵的可能机制及危害,在浙西南的丽水市开展了杂草群落调查,计算了藿香蓟和16种常见本地杂草的生态位宽度、生态位重叠和种间相关系数,并对主要物种进行典范对应分析(CCA)排序。结果表明(1)藿香蓟与常见本地杂草间的生态位重叠度显著高于本地杂草间的生态位重叠度,这与藿香蓟具有最大的生态位宽度有关;(2)藿香蓟与常见本地杂草的Pianka生态位重叠指数介于0.04-0.296之间,重叠度处于中下水平;(3)常见本地杂草对于藿香蓟的n-维超体积生态位重叠值显著高于藿香蓟对于常见本地杂草的n-维超体积生态位重叠值;(4)藿香蓟在CCA排序图上处于较中心的位置,说明其具有较高的中生性;不仅如此,外来杂草和本地杂草在排序图上充分混杂,说明外来种相对于本地种并无明显特化;(5)群落中大多数常见杂草间未出现显著种间负相关,仅7个种对显著正相关,大多数种对不相关。总的来说,丽水农村的杂草群落稳定较差,资源相对充足,种间生态位重叠较低,本地植物对于藿香蓟的竞争阻抗较小,加上藿香蓟本身较大的生态位宽度,导致了藿香蓟在本地区广泛而严重的入侵。     

<Emphasis Type="Italic">Xanthium italicum</Emphasis>, <Emphasis Type="Italic">Xanthium strumarium</Emphasis> and <Emphasis Type="Italic">Arctium lappa</Emphasis> as new hosts for <Emphasis Type="Italic">Diaporthe helianthi</Emphasis>

Sunflower (Helianthus annuus) stem canker caused by Diaporthe helianthi is one of the most important sunflower diseases in Croatia. Until recently, sunflower was the only known host for D. helianthi. In our research carried out in the area of Eastern Croatia, isolates of Diaporthe/Phomospis were collected from Xanthium italicum, X. strumarium and Arctium lappa. Using morphological, cultural and molecular ITS rDNA data, isolates from these weeds were identified as D. helianthi. The following isolates were used in the pathogenicity test: one isolate originated from sunflower (Su5/04), three from X. italicum (Xa2, Xa3 and Xa5), two from X. strumarium (Xa9 and Xa12), one from Xanthium sp. (Xa13) and one from A. lappa (Ar3). According to the results, it was determined that isolate Xa5 (originated from X. italicum) was the most pathogenic to sunflower stems. The average length of the lesion was 11.3 cm. The lowest level of pathogenicity was found in Xa9 (isolated from X. strumarium). The length of the lesion was 0.1 cm.     

Post-harvest control of cassava tuber rot by Botryodiplodia acerina using extracts of plant origin

Abstract

Investigations were carried out on the pesticidal potentials of seed of Piper nigrum and Aframomum melegueta and leaves of P. nigrum and Ageratum conyzoides using water, ethanol and petroleum ether as extracting solvents. Leaf extracts of P. nigrum and A. conyzoides and seed extracts of A. melegueta and P. nigrum significantly inhibited the mycelial radial growth and mycelial biomass of Botryodiplodia acerina in vitro. Ethanol extracts recorded the highest growth inhibition followed by water and petroleum ether extracts. The extracts checked the rot development in unwounded cassava tubers especially when they were applied before spray-inoculating with B. acerina. Water leaf extracts of P. nigrum and A. conyzoides and seed extracts of A. melegueta and P. nigrum could be a potent source of natural pesticide for managing post-harvest rot of cassava tubers caused by B. acerina.     

<Emphasis Type="Italic">Lantana camara</Emphasis> L.: a weed with great light-acclimation capacity

Plant invasions may be limited by low radiation levels in ecosystems such as forests. Lantana camara has been classified among the world’s 10 worst weeds since it is invading many different habitats all around the planet. Morphological and physiological responses to different light fluxes were analyzed. L. camara was able to acclimate to moderately shaded environments, showing a high phenotypic plasticity. Morphological acclimation to low light fluxes was typified by increasing leaf size, leaf biomass, leaf area index and plant height and by reduced stomatal density and leaf thickness. Plants in full sunlight produced many more inflorescences than in shaded conditions. Physiological acclimation to low radiation levels was shown to be higher stomatal conductance, higher net photosynthetic rates and higher efficiency of photosystem II (PSII). L. camara behaves as a facultative shade-tolerant plant, being able to grow in moderately sheltered environments, however its invasion could be limited in very shady habitats. Control efforts in patchy environments should be mainly directed against individuals in open areas since that is where the production of seeds would be higher and the progress of the invasion would be faster.     

银胶菊叶和花提取物对南方根结线虫的毒杀活性比较

为进一步明确银胶菊(Parthenium hysterophorus L.)的杀线虫活性,对银胶菊叶和花的不同溶剂提取物、甲醇提取物的不同萃取物以及甲醇提取物碱水层的不同极性组分对南方根结线虫(Meloidogyne incognita Chitwood)的杀虫活性进行了检测,并对不同提取物、萃取物和萃取组分进行了生物碱的定性分析.结果表明:银胶菊叶和花的蒸馏水、甲醇、乙酸乙酯和石油醚提取物的得率分别为24.5％和20.3％、19.6％和10.9％、6.8％和7.7％、2.0％和2.7％,其中,叶和花的蒸馏水和甲醇提取物的杀线虫活性均较强,而石油醚提取物的杀线虫活性最弱.用质量体积分数1.0％和0.5％的叶和花蒸馏水提取物分别处理24和48 h后试虫的校正死亡率均达到100.00％;用质量体积分数1.0％和0.5％的叶和花甲醇提取物处理48 h,试虫的校正死亡率均大于90％.叶和花甲醇提取物的碱水层、三氯甲烷Ⅰ层和Ⅱ层萃取物均具有一定的杀线虫活性,其中,用质量体积分数1.0％的花和叶碱水层萃取物以及花的三氯甲烷Ⅰ层萃取物分别处理48 h,试虫的校正死亡率均为100.00％,而三氯甲烷Ⅱ层萃取物的杀线虫活性最弱.银胶菊叶和花甲醇提取物碱水层的11个不同极性组分(A1～A11)也表现出不同程度的杀线虫活性,其中,用质量体积分数0.2％和0.1％花的A2[溶剂为V(三氯甲烷)∶V(甲醇)=10∶1]和A7[溶剂为V(三氯甲烷)∶v甲醇)=1∶1]组分以及叶的A2和A6[溶剂为V(三氯甲烷)∶V(甲醇)=2∶1]组分处理48 h后,试虫的校正死亡率均达100.00％,显著高于其他组分.定性实验结果表明:银胶菊叶和花中具有杀线虫活性的提取物、萃取物和萃取组分中均含有生物碱.研究结果说明:银胶菊花的杀线虫活性高于叶片,其毒杀活性不仅与提取部位及溶剂的种类和极性有关,还与提取物浓度及作用时间等因素有关.     

Allelopathic effects of the aqueous extract of Rhazya stricta on growth and metabolism of Salsola villosa

Abstract

Allelopathy is a biological process in which plants synthesize allelochemicals that affect the physiological properties, development and survival of other plants. Experiments were conducted to investigate the allelopathic effect of Rhazya stricta leaf extracts on the germination, early seedling growth and metabolism of Salsola villosa. Aqueous extracts (10, 30 and 50 g/ L) decreased germination and growth by reducing the synthesis of chlorophyll pigments. Leachate treatments induced the antioxidant system by upregulating antioxidant enzyme activities. Additionally, the activities of phenylalanine ammonia lyase and indole acetic acid oxidase were stimulated by exposure to leachate. R. stricta leachates reduced the content of polyunsaturated membrane fatty acids with a concomitant increase in the saturated ones. Unsaturated fatty acids were reduced with the increased concentration of leachate. Phospholipids were also reduced due to leachate, thereby affecting membrane functioning considerably. Aqueous extracts from the leaves of R. stricta restrict the growth and metabolism of S. villosa by hampering membrane functioning and photosynthetic capacity.     

Nematicidal Triterpenoids from Lantana camara

A new triterpene, lancamarolide ( 1 ), and seven known triterpenes, oleanonic acid ( 2 ), lantadene A ( 3 ), 11α‐hydroxy‐3‐oxours‐12‐en‐28‐oic acid ( 4 ), betulinic acid ( 5 ), lantadene B ( 6 ), and lantaninilic acid ( 7 ) were isolated from the aerial parts of Lantana camara in the course of bioassay‐guided isolation, and their nematicidal activities against Meloidogyne incognita, the root knot nematode, were carried out. Oleanonic acid was found to be the most active compound and exhibited 80% mortality after 72 h at 0.0625% concentration, which is comparable with that of the standard furadan.     

Nematicidal activity of fervenulin isolated from a nematicidal actinomycete, <Emphasis Type="Italic">Streptomyces</Emphasis> sp. CMU-MH021, on <Emphasis Type="Italic">Meloidogyne incognita</Emphasis>

An isolate of the actinomycete, Streptomyces sp. CMU-MH021 produced secondary metabolites that inhibited egg hatch and increased juvenile mortality of the root-knot nematode Meloidogyne incognita in vitro. 16S rDNA gene sequencing showed that the isolate sequence was 99% identical to Streptomyces roseoverticillatus. The culture filtrates form different culture media were tested for nematocidal activity. The maximal activity against M. incognita was obtained by using modified basal (MB) medium. The nematicidal assay-directed fractionation of the culture broth delivered fervenulin (1) and isocoumarin (2). Fervenulin, a low molecular weight compound, shows a broad range of biological activities. However, nematicidal activity of fervenulin was not previously reported. The nematicidal activity of fervenulin (1) was assessed using the broth microdilution technique. The lowest minimum inhibitory concentrations (MICs) of the compound against egg hatch of M. incognita was 30 μg/ml and juvenile mortality of M. incognita increasing was observed at 120 μg/ml. Moreover, at the concentration of 250 μg/ml fervenulin (1) showed killing effect on second-stage nematode juveniles of M. incognita up to 100% after incubation for 96 h. Isocoumarin (2), another bioactive compound produced by Streptomyces sp. CMU-MH021, showed weak nematicidal activity with M. incognita.     

Inhibitory effects of some invasive alien species leaf extracts against tomato (Lycopersicon esculentum Mill.) bacterial wilt (Ralstonia solanacearum)

The inhibitory activity of selected invasive alien species leaf extracts against tomato bacterial wilt was studied in vitro and greenhouse. In vitro inhibitory activity was undertaken in a disc diffusion sensitivity test. Furthermore, aqueous extracts of Eichhorina crassipes, Mimosa diplotricha and Lantana camara and methanolic extract of Prosopis juliflora which showed better inhibitory effect in vitro were evaluated against R. solanacearum in greenhouse on tomato. The plant extracts were applied and evaluated at three different times of application (at the time of inoculation; two days before pathogen inoculation; and two days after pathogen inoculation). The result showed that most of the treatment combinations significantly reduce disease incidence and area under disease progress curve and increase biomass of tomato plants, but the effectiveness of tested plant species depends on the type of plant species and application time. The application of plant extracts at the time of pathogen inoculation resulted in highest reduction of disease development on tomato plants. Aqueous extract of E. crassipes was found to be the most effective plant extract in disease suppression and increase above-ground biomass compared to inoculated control. The study revealed that the tested plant species have a potential of inhibiting the development of bacterial wilt on tomato.     

Nematicidal and allelopathic potential of Argemone mexicana,a tropical weed

Argemone mexicana L. (Papaveraceae), a tropical annual weed, is phytotoxic to many crop species. This study was designed to examine the allelochemical and nematicidal potential of A. mexicana and to better understand the role of this weed in the ecosystem. A methanol-soluble extract of the leaf material caused greater juvenile mortality of Meloidogyne javanica than did ethyl acetate or hexane extracts indicating the polar nature of the toxins. Decomposing tissues of A. mexicana in soil at 50 g kg^–1 were highly deleterious causing 80% mortality of tomato plants. At 10 g kg^–1 plant growth was enhanced, while at 30 g kg^–1 plant growth was substantially retarded. M. javanica population densities in the rhizosphere and in roots, and gall formation were significantly suppressed when 10, 30 or 50 g kg^–1 A. mexicana was allowed to decompose in the soil. To establish whether decomposition was necessary to produce phytotoxic symptoms, or whether the shoot extract alone could interfere with plant growth, an aqueous shoot extract was applied to soil. Whereas a 50% extract promoted plant growth, a 100% (100 g/500 mL distilled water) concentration significantly reduced plant height, and fresh weights of shoot and root. In general, decomposing plant material caused greater phytotoxicity compared to the aqueous extract. Addition of N as NH₄NO₃ partially alleviated the phytotoxic action of A. mexicana,and also reduced severity of root-knot disease. Adding Pseudomonas aeruginosa to soil amended with A. mexicana resulted in decreased density of M. javanicain the rhizosphere and in tomato roots, suppressed galling rates and enhanced plant growth.     

Assessment of the Allelopathic Potential of Ageratum Conyzoides

The allelopathic potential of Ageratum conyzoides, which is one of the most dominant weeds in upland-crop areas of Southeast Asia, was investigated under laboratory conditions. The residue obtained from an aqueous acetone extract of the plant shoots inhibited the germination and the growth of roots and shoots of Amaranthus caudatus, Digitaria sanguinalis and Lactuca sativa. The concentration-dependent responses of the test plants suggest that the residue of Ageratum conyzoides might contain allelochemical(s).     

Nematicidal coumarin from Ficus carica L.

The methanol extracts from 40 plant species were screened for their nematicidal activity against the nematodes Bursaphelenchus xylophilus, Panagrellus redivivus and Caenorhabditis elegans. The leaf extract of Ficus carica L. exhibited the strongest nematicidal activity, causing 74.3%, 96.2% and 98.4% mortality, respectively, within 72 h. By bioassay-guided fractionation, a coumarin was obtained. The compound was determined to be psoralen based on spectroscopic data. It showed nematicidal activity against the tested nematodes. This is the first report of the nematicidal activity of F. carica and psoralen.