title: Herbicidal activity of flavonoids of mango leaves against Parthenium hysterophorus L.
abstract: This study was undertaken to investigate the herbicidal activity of mango (Mangifera indica L.) leaves against parthenium weed (Parthenium hysterophorus L.). The aqueous leaf extract at 15% concentration (on fresh weight basis) significantly reduced germination, shoot length and the shoot and root biomasses of parthenium seedlings. In a leaf residue incorporation pot trial, 2% residue incorporation treatment significantly suppressed the root and shoot biomasses of parthenium, while a 5% residue treatment completely stopped the growth of the weed. Five flavonoids, namely (-)-epicatechin-3-O-β-glucopyranoside (1), 5-hydroxy-3-(4-hydroxyphenyl)pyrano[3,2-g]chromene-4(8H)-one (2), 6-(p-hydroxybenzyl)taxifolin-7-O-β-D-glucoside (tricuspid) (3), quercetin-3-O-α-glucopyranosyl-(1 → 2)-β-D-glucopyranoside (4) and (-)-epicatechin(2-(3,4-dihydroxyphenyl)-3,4-dihydro-2H chromene-3,5,7-triol (5) were isolated from mango leaves. In a laboratory bioassay, 50 ppm solution of compounds 3 and 4 caused yellowing of the parthenium seedlings. A 250 ppm solution of compound 4 also significantly reduced germination and the root and shoot lengths of parthenium seedlings. This study concludes that compound 4 exhibits herbicidal activity against parthenium weed.
authors.affiliation: Institute of Mycology and Plant Pathology, University of the Punjab, Quaid-e-Azam Campus, Lahore, Pakistan. arshadjpk@yahoo.com
authors.forename: Arshad
authors.initials: A
authors.lastname: Javaid
authors.forename: Shazia
authors.initials: S
authors.lastname: Shafique
authors.forename: Qudsia
authors.initials: Q
authors.lastname: Kanwal
authors.forename: Sobiya
authors.initials: S
authors.lastname: Shafique
mesh_terms: D019659:Asteraceae / Q000187:drug effects*; D005419:Flavonoids / Q000737:chemistry* / Q000494:pharmacology*; D006540:Herbicides / Q000737:chemistry / Q000494:pharmacology; D031022:Mangifera / Q000737:chemistry*; D015394:Molecular Structure; D018515:Plant Leaves / Q000737:chemistry*
chemical_list: D005419:Flavonoids; D006540:Herbicides