title: Inhibition of Orobanche crenata seed germination and radicle growth by allelochemicals identified in cereals.
abstract: Orobanche crenata is a parasitic weed that causes severe yield losses in important grain and forage legume crops. Cereals have been reported to inhibit O. crenata parasitism when grown intercropped with susceptible legumes, but the responsible metabolites have not been identified. A number of metabolites have been reported in cereals that have allelopathic properties against weeds, pests, and pathogens. We tested the effect of several allelochemicals identified in cereals on O. crenata seed germination and radicle development. We found that 2-benzoxazolinone, its derivative 6-chloroacetyl-2-benzoxazolinone, and scopoletin significantly inhibited O. crenata seed germination. Benzoxazolinones, l-tryptophan, and coumalic acid caused the stronger inhibition of radicle growth. Also, other metabolites reduced radicle length, this inhibition being dose-dependent. Only scopoletin caused cell necrotic-like darkening in the young radicles. Prospects for their application to parasitic weed management are discussed.
authors.affiliation: Institute for Sustainable Agriculture, Department of Plant Breeding, IAS-CSIC , Córdoba 14080, Spain.
authors.forename: Mónica
authors.initials: M
authors.lastname: Fernández-Aparicio
authors.forename: Alessio
authors.initials: A
authors.lastname: Cimmino
authors.forename: Antonio
authors.initials: A
authors.lastname: Evidente
authors.forename: Diego
authors.initials: D
authors.lastname: Rubiales
mesh_terms: D064089:Allelopathy; D002523:Edible Grain / Q000737:chemistry* / Q000378:metabolism; D018525:Germination / Q000187:drug effects; D031672:Orobanche / Q000187:drug effects* / Q000254:growth & development; D010675:Pheromones / Q000378:metabolism / Q000494:pharmacology*; D010936:Plant Extracts / Q000378:metabolism / Q000494:pharmacology*; D057685:Plant Weeds / Q000187:drug effects* / Q000254:growth & development; D012639:Seeds / Q000187:drug effects / Q000254:growth & development*; D058728:Weed Control
chemical_list: D010675:Pheromones; D010936:Plant Extracts