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A special issue of Agronomy (ISSN 2073-4395). This special issue belongs to the section "Farming Sustainability".

Deadline for manuscript submissions: closed (20 November 2022) | Viewed by 20879

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Prof. Dr. Hisashi Kato-Noguchi

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Department of Applied Biological Science, Faculty of Agriculture, Kagawa University, Miki, Kagawa 761-0795, Japan
Interests: allelopathy; allelochemical; chemical interaction; mode of action; momilactone; rice allelopathy
Special Issues, Collections and Topics in MDPI journals

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Dear Colleagues,

Allelopathy is an important phenomenon and is probably involved in all aspects of natural ecosystems such as the competition and succession of plant communities. Hundreds of papers related to allelopathy have been published each year in the last decade. Despite the tremendous growth in allelopathic research in recent years, only a small amount of research has been conducted in allelopathy with bioassay-directed isolation and structural elucidation of allelochemicals in plants. Determination of the genetic and biosynthetic pathways of allelochemicals is also challenging. Many of the compounds considered to be allelochemicals have little or no biological activity in plants in soils due to their instability, rapid degradation and interaction with the soil. Therefore, the soil plays an important role in allelopathy. Another area of needed research is microbial involvement in allelopathy. Soil microbes can degrade allelochemicals and also transform less phytotoxic compounds to more phytotoxic ones. It has also been found that allelochemicals change the soil microflora populations and compositions.

Much of the research in allelopathy thus far has mentioned that allelopathy can be used to control weeds and to reduce synthetic chemical input into agriculture. There are efforts to generate more allelopathic cultivars of crops by manipulation of genes involved in the synthesis of allelochemicals. Some of the new information in allelopathy has the potential for use in understanding and controlling weeds in agriculture. We can provide exciting discoveries and significant examples of allelopathy in this Special Issue for a better understanding of allelopathy.

Prof. Dr. Hisashi Kato-Noguchi
Guest Editor

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Keywords

chemical ecology
allelochemical
allelochemical and soil interaction
allelochemical and microbe interaction
allelopathic cultivar
genetic and biosynthetic pathway of allelochemicals
mode of action
root exudation
weed control

Published Papers (9 papers)

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Research

13 pages, 3508 KiB

Open AccessArticle

Allelopathic Activity of Annona reticulata L. Leaf Extracts and Identification of Three Allelopathic Compounds for the Development of Natural Herbicides

by Mst. Rokeya Khatun, Shunya Tojo, Toshiaki Teruya and Hisashi Kato-Noguchi

Agronomy 2022, 12(11), 2883; https://doi.org/10.3390/agronomy12112883 - 17 Nov 2022

Cited by 3 | Viewed by 1754

Abstract

Using plant-based allelopathic compounds might be a potent substitute to help mitigate the effects of synthetic herbicides. Annona reticulata L. is often planted for its fruit in residential gardens. This plant is well-documented for its diverse ethnomedicinal uses. However, there is no information in the literature on the allelopathic potential of A. reticulata leaves. Therefore, the allelopathic potential and relevant allelopathic compounds of A. reticulata leaves were investigated in this study. The bioassays were carried out using a completely randomized experimental layout (CRD), and the resulting data were analyzed using one-way ANOVA at p ≤ 0.05. Aqueous methanol extracts of A. reticulata leaves significantly inhibited the growth of three dicots and three monocots (Lepidium sativum L., Medicago sativa L., Lactuca sativa L., Echinochloa crus-galli (L.) P. Beauv., Lolium multiflorum Lam., and Phleum pratense L., respectively). The level of growth inhibition was proportional to the A. reticulata extract concentration. Three compounds were purified through different chromatographic steps, and their structures were determined using spectroscopy and identified as loliolide, 5-hydroxy-3,4-dimethyl-5-pentylfuran-2(5H)-one, and 3,4-dihydroxyphenylethanol. The 5-hydroxy-3,4-dimethyl-5-pentylfuran-2(5H)-one had the greatest effect on suppressing cress root growth, while loliolide had the greatest effect on suppressing timothy shoot growth. The values for 50% seedling growth suppression showed that the compound with the maximum inhibitory activity was loliolide, followed by 5-hydroxy-3,4-dimethyl-5-pentylfuran-2(5H)-one and 3,4-dihydroxyphenylethanol. Therefore, this result suggests that the three compounds might be responsible for the allelopathic effects of A. reticulata leaf extracts, and these compounds have the potential to be used to develop effective bioherbicides. Full article

(This article belongs to the Special Issue Advances in Plant Allelopathy)

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11 pages, 2274 KiB

Open AccessArticle

Two Allelopathic Substances from Plumbago rosea Stem Extracts and Their Allelopathic Effects

by Thang Lam Lun, Arihiro Iwasaki, Kiyotake Suenaga and Hisashi Kato-Noguchi

Agronomy 2022, 12(9), 2020; https://doi.org/10.3390/agronomy12092020 - 26 Aug 2022

Cited by 3 | Viewed by 1414

Abstract

The plant Plumbago rosea Linn., belonging to the Plumbaginaceae family, is an important medicinal herb distributed in part of Southeast Asia, and there are many reports of its pharmacological properties. However, the allelopathic activities of P. rosea have not been examined. Thus, the present study was conducted to assess the allelopathic activity of P. rosea and to identify its allelopathic substances. The aqueous methanol stem extract of P. rosea significantly suppressed the seedling growth of barnyard grass (Echinochloa crus-galli L. P. Beauv.), Italian ryegrass (Lolium multiflorum Lam.), timothy (Phleum pretense L.), cress (Lepidium sativum L.), lettuce (Lactuca sativa L.), and alfalfa (Medicago sativa L.). The extract of P. rosea was then purified through chromatographic steps, and two active substances were isolated and determined as 7,4′,5′-tri-O-methyl dihydroquercetin and 7,4′,5′-tri-O-methylampelopsin. The two compounds significantly inhibited the seedling growth of cress, with 7,4′,5′-tri-O-methylampelopsin showing a greater inhibitory effect than 7,4′,5′-tri-O-methyl dihydroquercetin. This result may be due to the 3′-OH group in 7,4′,5′-tri-O-methylampelopsin. The effective concentrations of both compounds required for 50% growth inhibition (EC₅₀ values) of cress seedlings were 0.24 mM and 0.59 mM for root and shoot, and 0.07 mM and 0.21 mM, respectively. These findings suggest that the two compounds may contribute to the allelopathic effect of P. rosea and could be used as a natural source of allelopathic substances. Full article

(This article belongs to the Special Issue Advances in Plant Allelopathy)

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13 pages, 3384 KiB

Open AccessArticle

Allelopathic Activity of a Novel Compound, 5,6-Dihydrogen-11α-O-acetyl-12β-O-tigloyl-17β-marsdenin, and a Known Steroidal Glycoside from the Leaves of Marsdenia tenacissima (Roxb.) Moon

by Seinn Moh Moh, Arihiro Iwasaki, Kiyotake Suenaga and Hisashi Kato-Noguchi

Agronomy 2022, 12(7), 1536; https://doi.org/10.3390/agronomy12071536 - 27 Jun 2022

Cited by 7 | Viewed by 1419

Abstract

Medicinal plants are rich sources of bioactive substances that can be used to develop environmentally friendly weed control alternatives. Marsdenia tenacissima (Roxb.) Moon is a traditional medicinal plant well known for its pharmacological activities and several bioactive compounds. However, its allelopathy and related substances have not been reported. Hence, the present study was conducted to explore the allelopathic potential and substances from M. tenacissima leaves. Aqueous methanol extracts of M. tenacissima showed significant inhibitory activities against the growth of cress (Lepidium sativum L.) and Italian ryegrass (Lolium multiflorum Lam.). The extracts were purified through various chromatography steps, and two allelopathic substances were isolated and determined by spectral data to be steroidal glycoside 1 (5,6-dihydrogen-11α-O-acetyl-12β-O-tigloyl-17β-marsdenin), a novel compound, and steroidal glycoside 2 (5,6-dihydrogen-11α,12β-di-O-tigloyl-17β-marsdenin). Both compounds significantly inhibited the growth of cress seedlings. Steroidal glycoside 1 showed 1.6- and 4-times greater growth inhibitory potential against the cress shoots and roots than steroidal glycoside 2. The concentrations needed for 50% growth inhibition of the cress seedling shoots and roots were 0.46 and 0.03 mM for steroidal glycoside 1, respectively, and 0.74 and 0.12 mM for steroidal glycoside 2, respectively. Therefore, these results suggest that steroidal glycosides 1 and 2 may be responsible for the allelopathy of the M. tenacissima leaves. Full article

(This article belongs to the Special Issue Advances in Plant Allelopathy)

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14 pages, 413 KiB

Open AccessArticle

Evaluation of the Activity of Estragole and 2-Isopropylphenol, Phenolic Compounds Present in Cistus ladanifer

by Elena Requesón, Dolores Osuna, Ana del Rosario Santiago and Teresa Sosa

Agronomy 2022, 12(5), 1139; https://doi.org/10.3390/agronomy12051139 - 09 May 2022

Cited by 2 | Viewed by 1309

Abstract

A large number of studies of Cistus ladanifer highlight this Mediterranean shrub as a source of the phenolic compounds responsible for the allelopathic potential of this species. There are few phenolic compounds present in C. ladanifer that have not yet been studied. The objective of this work was to evaluate the activity of estragole and 2-isopropylphenol on filter paper and soil on monocotyledons (Allium cepa) and dicotyledons (Lactuca sativa). The results showed that when the test was carried out on paper, the germination and the growth of the L. sativa was strongly inhibited by 2 isopropylphenol and estragole. 2 isopropylphenol showed an IC₅₀ on the germination of 0.7 mM and 0.1 mM on the germination rate, 0.4 mM on the size of radicle and 0.3 mM on the size of hypocotyl. Estragole showed an IC50 on the germination rate of 1.5 mM and 1.1 mM on the size of hypocotyl. The effects of these pure compounds on A. cepa were lower, and when the assays were performed on the soil, they were dissipated. The mixture of these compounds on A. cepa had 0.6 mM IC₅₀ for the length hypocotyl on paper and 1.1 mM for the length of the radicle on soil. The mixture on L. sativa also inhibited the length of the radicle with an IC₅₀ of 0.6 mM. On the other hand, it was also observed that estragole stimulated the growth of the A. cepa radicle length on soil, showing a hormetic effect with an EC₅₀ of 0.1 mM. In conclusion, it can be said that for a species to be allelopathic in nature, it is essential to verify the effect of its possible allelochemicals on the target species, on the soil in which they will exert their action and at the concentrations found in their usual environment, in addition to taking into account the interaction with other compounds present in the medium. Full article

(This article belongs to the Special Issue Advances in Plant Allelopathy)

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15 pages, 8221 KiB

Open AccessArticle

Natural Control of Weed Invasions in Hyper-Arid Arable Farms: Allelopathic Potential Effect of Conocarpus erectus against Common Weeds and Vegetables

by Anfal Alsharekh, Mohamed A. El-Sheikh, Abdulrahman A. Alatar and Eslam M. Abdel-Salam

Agronomy 2022, 12(3), 703; https://doi.org/10.3390/agronomy12030703 - 14 Mar 2022

Cited by 12 | Viewed by 2809

Abstract

Utilization of plant allelopathic potential to control weed infestations provides an effective, cost-efficient, labor-free, and environmentally acceptable alternative to traditional chemical and mechanical methods. Conocarpus erectus, known as buttonwood, belongs to the Combretaceae family with high contents of phytochemicals and antioxidant activity. There have been no studies on the allelopathic potential of C. erectus. The present study (1) examined the allelopathic potential of C. erectus against selected weeds (Chenopodium murale and Amaranthus viridis) and crops (Solanum lycopersicum and Cucumis sativus) via investigating the growth inhibition ability of its aqueous extract, and (2) identified the potential allelochemicals found in this plant. Aqueous extracts were prepared from leaves, roots, and seeds of C. erectus by immersing the dried powder of the examined plant parts in sterile distilled water for 24 h on a shaker set to 180 rpm. The resulting filtrate was considered as 100% solution, and then dilutions were made to various concentrations (75%, 50%, and 25%). C. erectus leaves and seeds showed the highest rate of inhibition at all concentrations against Chenopodium murale and Amaranthus viridis grown in either Petri dishes or pots. Conversely, all the studied extracts did not show any toxic effects against tomato and cucumber plants grown in pots. In Petri dishes, a slight reduction in growth was observed. HPLC analysis of total phenolic contents in C. erectus methanolic extracts showed that leaves have the highest contents of gallic acid, caffeic acid, and ferulic acid (153.963, 69.135, and 39.801 ppm, respectively). The finding of the current study demonstrated that the part of the plant and the concentration of extraction have a significant effect on phytotoxicity. The positive results of this study might be used to develop environmentally-friendly herbicides for agricultural purposes. Full article

(This article belongs to the Special Issue Advances in Plant Allelopathy)

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13 pages, 2606 KiB

Open AccessArticle

Allelopathy of the Medicinal Plant Dregea volubilis (L.f.) Benth. ex Hook.f. and Its Phytotoxic Substances with Allelopathic Activity

by Ei Han Kyaw, Arihiro Iwasaki, Kiyotake Suenaga and Hisashi Kato-Noguchi

Agronomy 2022, 12(2), 303; https://doi.org/10.3390/agronomy12020303 - 25 Jan 2022

Cited by 10 | Viewed by 2993

Abstract

Allelopathic plants and their related phytotoxic chemicals have been explored as alternatives for environmentally friendly weed management. Dregea volubilis (L.f.) Benth. ex Hook.f., a woody vine, is well-known for its uses in various therapeutic treatments, and several bioactive compounds have been isolated from this species. However, to date, no phytotoxic substances from D. volubilis have been reported. Hence, in this research, we aimed to investigate the allelopathic effect of D. volubilis and characterize its phytotoxic substances. Extracts of D. volubilis exhibited significant inhibitory activity against the seedling growth of Italian ryegrass (Lolium multiflorum Lam.) and cress (Lepidium sativum L.). The extracts were purified through several chromatography steps, yielding two phytotoxic substances, and using spectroscopy, their structures were determined as dehydrovomifoliol and loliolide. The compounds inhibited the Italian ryegrass and cress seedlings with the I₅₀ (concentrations needed for 50% inhibition) values ranging from 0.022 to 0.102 mM, for loliolide and 3.24–4.60 mM, for dehydrovomifoliol. These results suggest that both phytotoxic compounds might be responsible for the allelopathy of D. volubilis, and they may be released into the soil through the decomposition of the D. volubilis leaf and probably act as allelopathic active substances. Therefore, the extracts of D. volubilis and its related phytotoxic compounds may be applied as biological agents for controlling weeds. Full article

(This article belongs to the Special Issue Advances in Plant Allelopathy)

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13 pages, 2388 KiB

Open AccessArticle

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

by Ramida Krumsri, Arihiro Iwasaki, Kiyotake Suenaga and Hisashi Kato-Noguchi

Agronomy 2022, 12(1), 139; https://doi.org/10.3390/agronomy12010139 - 06 Jan 2022

Cited by 15 | Viewed by 2310

Abstract

Senna garrettiana (Craib) Irwin & Barneby (Fabaceae) is a medicinal plant known to be rich in biologically active compounds that could be exploited to produce bioherbicides. The present study was conducted to explore the allelopathic potential and phytotoxic substances of S. garrettiana. Extracts of S. garrettiana leaves were found to significantly inhibit the growth of Lepidium sativum L. and Echinochloa crus-galli (L.) P. Beauv. (p ≤ 0.05). The phytotoxic substances were isolated and identified as vanillic acid and ferulic acid by bioassay-directed fractionation and spectral data analysis. The two compounds were shown to significantly inhibit the seed germination, seedling growth, and dry biomass of L. sativum. Based on the concentration required for 50% growth inhibition (defined as IC₅₀), the roots of L. sativum were the most sensitive to the compounds, and the inhibitory effect of ferulic acid (IC₅₀ = 0.62 mM) was >1.3 times more potent than that of vanillic acid (IC₅₀ = 0.82 mM). In addition, a mixture of the two compounds (0.3 mM) resulted in synergistic inhibitory activity against the L. sativum roots compared with the individual compounds. These results suggest that the extracts of S. garrettiana leaves and their phytotoxic compounds have potential as candidate natural herbicides. Full article

(This article belongs to the Special Issue Advances in Plant Allelopathy)

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13 pages, 2667 KiB

Open AccessArticle

Allelopathy and Allelopathic Substances of Fossil Tree Species Metasequoia glyptostroboides

by Yuki Matuda, Arihiro Iwasaki, Kiyotake Suenaga and Hisashi Kato-Noguchi

Agronomy 2022, 12(1), 83; https://doi.org/10.3390/agronomy12010083 - 30 Dec 2021

Cited by 7 | Viewed by 2128

Abstract

Metasequoia glyptostroboides Hu et W.C. Cheng is one of the oldest living conifer species, and it has remained unchanged for millions of years compared to its fossils from the Cretaceous period. The species are cultivated in the parks, gardens, and roadsides in many countries. We investigated the allelopathy and allelopathic substances in fallen leaves of M. glyptostroboides. An aqueous methanol extract of the fallen leaves inhibited the growth of cress (Lepidium sativum L.), lettuce (Lactuca sativa L.), alfalfa (Medicago sativa L.), Lolium multiflorum Lam., Phleum pretense L., and Vulpia myuros (L.) C.C.Gmel. The extract was then purified by several chromatographic steps, and two allelopathic substances were isolated and determined by spectral data to be (+)-rhododendrol and 9-epi-blumenol C. The compound inhibited the growth of cress and L. multiflorum. M. glyptostroboides is a deciduous perennial tree, and accumulation of its fallen leaves occur on the soil under the trees. Therefore, those allelopathic substances in the fallen leaves may be liberated into the rhizosphere soil during the decomposition process of fallen leaves and provide a competitive advantage for M. glyptostrob through the growth inhibition of competing plant species nearby. Therefore, M. glyptostroboides is allelopathic, and (+)-rhododendrol and 9-epi-blumenol C may be contribute to the allelopathy. Full article

(This article belongs to the Special Issue Advances in Plant Allelopathy)

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13 pages, 4665 KiB

Open AccessArticle

Allelopathic Activity and Characterization of Allelopathic Substances from Elaeocarpus floribundus Blume Leaves for the Development of Bioherbicides

by Kawsar Hossen, Krishna Rany Das, Yuka Asato, Toshiaki Teruya and Hisashi Kato-Noguchi

Agronomy 2022, 12(1), 57; https://doi.org/10.3390/agronomy12010057 - 27 Dec 2021

Cited by 6 | Viewed by 2565

Abstract

To help protect the environment as well as increase agricultural production, the use of synthetic herbicides must be reduced and replaced with plant-based bioherbicides. Elaeocarpus floribundus is a perennial, evergreen, and medium-sized plant grown in different areas of the world. The pharmaceutical properties and various uses of Elaeocarpus floribundus have been reported, but its allelopathic potential has not yet been explored. Thus, we carried out the present study to identify allelopathic compounds from Elaeocarpus floribundus. Aqueous MeOH extracts of Elaeocarpus floribundus significantly suppressed the growth of the tested species (cress and barnyard grass) in a dose- and species-dependent way. The three most active allelopathic substances were isolated via chromatographic steps and characterized as (3R)-3-hydroxy-β-ionone, cis-3-hydroxy-α-ionone, and loliolide. All three substances significantly limited the seedling growth of cress, and the compound (3R)-3-hydroxy-β-ionone had stronger allelopathic effects than cis-3-hydroxy-α-ionone and loliolide. The concentrations of the compounds required for 50% growth inhibition (I₅₀ value) of the cress seedlings were in the range of 0.0001–0.0005 M. The findings of this study indicate that all three phytotoxic substances contribute to the phytotoxicity of Elaeocarpus floribundus. Full article

(This article belongs to the Special Issue Advances in Plant Allelopathy)

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