Characterization of the allelopathic potential of sugarcane leaves and roots

Authors: HIJANO, NERIANE - Sao Paulo State University (UNESP); NEPOMUCENO, MARILUCE - Sao Paulo State University (UNESP); Cantrell, Charles; DUKE, STEPHEN - Retired ARS Employee; ALVES, PEDRO - Sao Paulo State University (UNESP)

Submitted to: Journal of Agricultural Chemistry and Environment
Publication Type: Peer Reviewed Journal
Publication Acceptance Date: 6/22/2021
Publication Date: 6/25/2021
Citation: Hijano, N., Nepomuceno, M.P., Cantrell, C.L., Duke, S.O., Alves, P.L. 2021. Characterization of the allelopathic potential of sugarcane leaves and roots. Journal of Agricultural Chemistry and Environment. https://doi.org/10.4236/jacen.2021.103016.
DOI: https://doi.org/10.4236/jacen.2021.103016

Interpretive Summary: Weed interference in sugarcane (Saccharum officinarum L.) can reduce crop yield by up to 97%. However, interference is not a phenomenon caused only by weeds, as the crop has the potential to limit the growth and development of weeds. Allelopathy is one of the factors involved in interference between plants. Allelopathy is the chemical inhibition of one plant by another, due to the release into the environment of phytotoxic compounds that inhibit germination and/or growth. Plants may adversely affect growth and development of each other through the production and release of compounds into the environment. Sugarcane cultivars that are currently planted are the result of genetic improvement focused on increased crop yield. However, this selection and genetic alteration reduced the competitive potential of sugarcane, as well as its allelopathic capabilities. Many members of the Poaceae family are highly allelopathic. Thus, the objective of this study was to characterize the allelopathic potential of two sugarcane cultivars (CTC 2 and IAC 91109) by bioassay-guided isolation and identification of potential allelochemicals. For both leaves and roots, alpha-linolenic and linoleic acid were found to be he most phytotoxic compounds found with this approach.

Technical Abstract: Sugarcane cultivars that are currently planted are the result of genetic improvement focused on increased crop yield. However, this selection and genetic alteration reduced the competitive potential of sugarcane, as well as its allelopathic capabilities. Many members of the Poaceae family are highly allelopathic. Thus, the objective of this study was to characterize the allelopathic potential of two sugarcane cultivars (CTC 2 and IAC 91109) by bioassay-guided isolation and identification of potential allelochemicals by bioassay-guided fractionation, isolation, and identification of sig-nificant phytotoxins, including those that are lipophilic. For both leaves and roots, alpha-linolenic and linoleic acid were found to be he most phytotoxic compounds found with this approach. Both compounds were phytotoxic when applied in soil and caused light-independent cellular leakage of treated cucumber cotyledon discs.