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Agronomy
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Allelochemicals: Effects on Seed Germination and Plant Growth
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Allelochemicals: Effects on Seed Germination and Plant Growth

A special issue of Agronomy (ISSN 2073-4395). This special issue belongs to the section "Weed Science and Weed Management".

Deadline for manuscript submissions: closed (15 October 2021) | Viewed by 18194

Special Issue Editors

Prof. Dr. Natividad Chaves Lobón

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Guest Editor
Department of Plant Biology, Ecology and Earth Sciences, Faculty of Science, University of Extremadura, 06006 Badajoz, Spain
Interests: ecophysiology; allelopathy; ecological function of metabolism secondary; plant-plant interaction; plant-animal interaction
Special Issues, Collections and Topics in MDPI journals
Prof. Dr. Juan Carlos Alías Gallego

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Guest Editor
Universidad de Extremadura, Badajoz, Spain
Interests: Ecophysiology; Allelopathy; Ecological function of metabolism secondary; Plant-plant interaction; Plant-animal interaction
Prof. Dr. Sara Rodrigo

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Guest Editor
Department of Agronomy and Forest Environment Engineering, University of Extremadura. Avenida Adolfo Suárez s/n, 06007 Badajoz, Spain
Interests: fungal endophytes; secondary metabolites; biocontrol; plant production; plant growth promotors; biofortification; dehesas; nutritive value; beer; food chemistry
Special Issues, Collections and Topics in MDPI journals

Special Issue Information

Dear Colleagues,

Allelopathy is concerned with the effects of chemical compounds produced by plants or microorganisms on the growth, development, and distribution of other plants and microorganisms in natural communities or agricultural systems. The study of allelopathy is becoming a popular topic in agronomy and ecology, since allelopathic interactions can be one of the significant factors contributing to species distribution and abundance within plant communities. The study of allelopathy and its application to agricultural production has long been anticipated. Researchers have found allelopathic plants that are now used as cover crops, and allelochemicals which may lead to new herbicides. Plant-derived allelochemicals thus offer an environmentally friendly alternative to agrochemicals in sustainable agriculture, and the synthesis of novel agrochemicals based on allelochemicals has attracted a great deal of attention from scientists engaged in agronomic research.

On the other hand, soil-borne fungal diseases pose serious constraints on agro-productivity. Biological control is a non-hazardous strategy to control plant pathogens and improve crop productivity, and in the soil there are microorganisms (fungi, plant-growth-promoting rhizobacteria, etc.) that can act as biological control agents. These microorganisms are able to produce allelochemicals that confer positive effects on plants, such as eliciting induced systemic resistance, promoting plant growth, and reducing susceptibility to pathogens, and they reduce the inhibitory effect on susceptible plants caused by allelopathic weeds.

For all this, considerable further work is required in the field of allelochemical research because it is a complex process. The plant-organism chemical interactions are a multidisciplinary science requiring deep knowledge. Thus, this Special Issue aims to collect original papers that contribute to our knowledge of:

-The structure–activity relationships of allelochemicals to facilitate the design of new herbicides.

-The progress regarding the mode of action of allelochemicals and their physiological mechanisms.

-The belowground chemical interactions and processes in vivo and in situ.

-The transportation and biodegradation of allelochemicals in soil.

-The design of studies with analytical methods which are more representative of actual field situations.

-The effect of allelochemicals on the diversity of the soil microbial community and to how allelochemicals are involved in plant-microbe-pathogen interactions to contribute to disease control in crops.

Contributions in the form of reviews are also welcome.

Prof. Dr. Natividad Chaves Lobón
Prof. Dr. Juan Carlos Alías Gallego
Prof. Dr. Sara Rodrigo
Guest Editors

Manuscript Submission Information

Manuscripts should be submitted online at www.mdpi.com by registering and logging in to this website. Once you are registered, click here to go to the submission form. Manuscripts can be submitted until the deadline. All submissions that pass pre-check are peer-reviewed. Accepted papers will be published continuously in the journal (as soon as accepted) and will be listed together on the special issue website. Research articles, review articles as well as short communications are invited. For planned papers, a title and short abstract (about 100 words) can be sent to the Editorial Office for announcement on this website.

Submitted manuscripts should not have been published previously, nor be under consideration for publication elsewhere (except conference proceedings papers). All manuscripts are thoroughly refereed through a single-blind peer-review process. A guide for authors and other relevant information for submission of manuscripts is available on the Instructions for Authors page. Agronomy is an international peer-reviewed open access monthly journal published by MDPI.

Please visit the Instructions for Authors page before submitting a manuscript. The Article Processing Charge (APC) for publication in this open access journal is 2600 CHF (Swiss Francs). Submitted papers should be well formatted and use good English. Authors may use MDPI's English editing service prior to publication or during author revisions.

Keywords

  • Allelochemicals
  • Allelopathy
  • Chemical interaction
  • Soil and environment
  • Sustainable herbicides
  • Physiological mechanisms of allelochemicals
  • Soil microorganisms
  • Integrated plant disease management
  • Agricultural sustainable development.

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Published Papers (5 papers)

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Research

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12 pages, 1140 KiB  
Article
S-Carvone Formulation Based on Granules of Organoclay to Modulate Its Losses and Phytotoxicity in Soil
by Beatriz Gámiz and Rafael Celis
Agronomy 2021, 11(8), 1593; https://doi.org/10.3390/agronomy11081593 - 11 Aug 2021
Cited by 4 | Viewed by 2142
Abstract
Based on the effects that allelochemicals can exert over organisms, their use as alternatives to synthetic pesticides has been proposed. To this aim, it is important to understand their behavior in soils as allelochemicals can readily dissipate by different routes. In this work, [...] Read more.
Based on the effects that allelochemicals can exert over organisms, their use as alternatives to synthetic pesticides has been proposed. To this aim, it is important to understand their behavior in soils as allelochemicals can readily dissipate by different routes. In this work, novel granules based on the commercial organoclay Cloisite® 10A were prepared as a new strategy for the possible application of S-carvone as a bioherbicide, overcoming its rapid dissipation in the environment. Batch release, degradation, mobility, and phytotoxicity tests in soil were performed. Until now, the phytotoxicity of organoclay-based formulations of S-carvone in soil has not been studied. The release of S-carvone in water from the granules occurred slowly. There were no differences in the persistence of the allelochemical after its application to soil as a free compound (readily available form) or supported on granules. However, the granulated formulation reduced and delayed the leaching of S-carvone, thus controlling its downward movement in soil columns, as compared to the free S-carvone. Bioassays revealed that S-carvone supported on granules reduced the germination and aerial biomass of Lactuca sativa L. to a greater extent than the free compound. Our results demonstrated that the prepared formulation of S-carvone, based on granules of the commercial organoclay Cloisite® 10A, could be used to control transport losses, such as leaching or volatilization, increasing the bioefficacy of the allelochemical. These findings could inspire further investigations for the preparation of novel formulations of monoterpenes as potential bioherbicides. Full article
(This article belongs to the Special Issue Allelochemicals: Effects on Seed Germination and Plant Growth)
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13 pages, 1079 KiB  
Article
Rice By-Products Reduce Seed and Seedlings Survival of Echinochloa crus-galli, Leptochloa chinensis and Fymbristylis miliacea
by Thi L. Ho, Cuong T. Nguyen, Danh C. Vu, Tu T. C. Nguyen, Vinh Q. Nguyen and Reid J. Smeda
Agronomy 2021, 11(4), 776; https://doi.org/10.3390/agronomy11040776 - 15 Apr 2021
Cited by 3 | Viewed by 3158
Abstract
Extracting allelochemicals from rice (Oryza sativa) straw and use for weed management is more sustainable than burning and reduces herbicide dependence. Water soluble compounds were extracted from shoots and roots of OM 5930, generating both a crystallized by-product and liquid extract. [...] Read more.
Extracting allelochemicals from rice (Oryza sativa) straw and use for weed management is more sustainable than burning and reduces herbicide dependence. Water soluble compounds were extracted from shoots and roots of OM 5930, generating both a crystallized by-product and liquid extract. Crystallized product was applied to soil with pre-germinated barnyardgrass (Echinochloa crus-galli L. Beauv), red sprangletop (Leptochloa chinensis L. Nees), and grass-like fimbry (Fimbristylis miliacea L. Vahl) seeds. As little as 9.4 g per pot (1 ton ha−1 biomass) reduced survival of all species, with the order of sensitivity barnyardgrass (BG) < red sprangletop (RS) < grasslike-fimbry (GF). Increased rates or time of exposure (3 to 42 days after treatment; DAT) resulted in a stepwise reduction in seed survival. Using liquid extract, 5.33 g pot−1 (3 tons ha−1 biomass) reduced BG survival by 49.8%, while 2.67 g pot−1 reduced survival of RS and GF by 49.7 and 54.3%, respectively at 42 DAT. A rate of 8 g pot−1 reduced survival of BG seedlings by 78.3% but was lethal to RS and GF seedlings. The most abundant allelochemicals present were ergosterol peroxide, p-coumaric acid, and salicylic acid. OM 5930 rice is a promising variety for extraction of allelopathic compounds and application for extended herbicidal activity. Full article
(This article belongs to the Special Issue Allelochemicals: Effects on Seed Germination and Plant Growth)
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17 pages, 2508 KiB  
Article
Allelopathic Potential of Haloxylon persicum against Wheat and Black Mustard with Special Reference to Its Phytochemical Composition and Antioxidant Activity
by Ibrahim Bayoumi Abdel-Farid, Mohamed Salah Massoud, Yahia Al-Enazy, Arafat Abdel Hamed Abdel Latef, Muhammad Jahangir and Nasr H. Gomaa
Agronomy 2021, 11(2), 244; https://doi.org/10.3390/agronomy11020244 - 28 Jan 2021
Cited by 6 | Viewed by 3063
Abstract
Haloxylon persicum is a well-known plant of sandy deserts, but yet, its allelopathic and phytochemical potential has not been explored. In the present study, we evaluated the effects of different concentrations (1, 2, 4, and 8%) of the aqueous extract of H. persicum [...] Read more.
Haloxylon persicum is a well-known plant of sandy deserts, but yet, its allelopathic and phytochemical potential has not been explored. In the present study, we evaluated the effects of different concentrations (1, 2, 4, and 8%) of the aqueous extract of H. persicum shoots on seed germination and seedling growth of wheat crop and black mustard weed. The effects of the same extract on the biochemical parameters (chlorophyll a, chlorophyll b, carbohydrates content, and proline content) of wheat seedlings were also investigated. Low and moderate concentrations (1, 2, and 4%) of H. persicum aqueous extract nonsignificantly affected seed germination, shoot length, root length, fresh weight, and dry weight of wheat seedlings, whereas these parameters were negatively affected by the application of the highest extract concentration (8%). The results revealed a significant increase in proline content in wheat seedlings under all the applied concentrations of H. persicum extract. Low and moderate concentrations (1–4%) of H. persicum extract significantly enhanced chlorophyll a, chlorophyll b, and total chlorophyll content in wheat seedlings, whereas these parameters were significantly reduced when the highest extract concentration (8%) was applied. Only the lowest concentration (1%) of H. persicum extract reduced the carbohydrates content of wheat seedlings, while other concentrations showed nonsignificant effects. Concentrations of 4 and 8% of H. persicum extract reduced the seed germination percentage of black mustard. The root length, shoot length, and fresh weight of black mustard seedlings were significantly decreased by the application of 1 and 2% extract concentrations and completely inhibited in response to treatment with 4 and 8% concentrations. The dry weight of black mustard seedlings was not affected by 1 and 2% extract concentrations but completely inhibited at 4 and 8% concentrations. The methanol extract of H. persicum contains high contents of bioactive secondary metabolites, such as phenolics, flavonoids, flavonols, anthocyanins, tannins, saponins, as well as proved to has a very strong antioxidant activity of the 2,2-diphenyl-1-picrylhydrazyl radical scavenging activity (DPPH). Based on our results, we recommend the potential application of the aqueous extracts of H. persicum to control black mustard weed in wheat crops. Furthermore, H. persicum revealed an interesting phytochemical pattern with sound antioxidant activity that assigns this plant as a promising candidate to explore its detailed metabolomics profile along with potential bioactivities. Full article
(This article belongs to the Special Issue Allelochemicals: Effects on Seed Germination and Plant Growth)
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15 pages, 3343 KiB  
Article
Indigo as a Plant Growth Inhibitory Chemical from the Fruit Pulp of Couroupita guianensis Aubl.
by Kohinoor Begum, Takashi Motobayashi, Nazmul Hasan, Kwame Sarpong Appiah, Mashura Shammi and Yoshiharu Fujii
Agronomy 2020, 10(9), 1388; https://doi.org/10.3390/agronomy10091388 - 14 Sep 2020
Cited by 8 | Viewed by 3913
Abstract
Weed management is an important issue since weeds directly compete with crop plants for space, nutrients; serve as habitat for insect pests and diseases, and can create a significant annual reduction in crop productivity. This study focused on evaluating the contribution of the [...] Read more.
Weed management is an important issue since weeds directly compete with crop plants for space, nutrients; serve as habitat for insect pests and diseases, and can create a significant annual reduction in crop productivity. This study focused on evaluating the contribution of the secondary metabolites of the fruit pulp of Couroupita guianensis Aubl. for its potential growth inhibitory effect. Crude extracts of C. guianensis fruit pulp were collected with different solvents and applied to test plants in petri dishes. The crude extracts of methanol and 1% dimethyl sulfoxide (DMSO) showed potential growth inhibitions with the 50% effective concentration (EC50) of 223 and 229 µg/mL in the bioassay experiment. In the greenhouse pot experiment, soil incorporated with oven-dried fruit pulp of C. guianensis was evaluated on cultivated plant species including Lactuca sativa L., Trifolium repens L., Medicago sativa L., Lolium multiflorum Lam., and Phleum pratense L. The incorporation of dried fruit pulp of C. guianensis into soil reduced shoot and root lengths and the germination percentage of test plants. It was observed that the monocot plants were more affected than the dicot plants. The fruit pulp of C. guianensis was subjected to reversed-phase high-performance liquid chromatography (HPLC) analysis to identify the active compounds. Indigo, identified as one of the candidate compounds of the C. guianensis, had high specific activity (i.e., strong inhibitory activity) in a phytotoxicity bioassay and could explain through the total activity concept the growth inhibitory effect of the C. guianensis on test plants. The results suggested that indigo has plant growth inhibitory effect, indicating the allelopathic potential of C. guianensis, which could be exploited in sustainable weed management. Full article
(This article belongs to the Special Issue Allelochemicals: Effects on Seed Germination and Plant Growth)
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Review

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22 pages, 4163 KiB  
Review
Allelopathic Activity of Strigolactones on the Germination of Parasitic Plants and Arbuscular Mycorrhizal Fungi Growth
by Francisco J. Soto-Cruz, Jesús G. Zorrilla, Carlos Rial, Rosa M. Varela, José M. G. Molinillo, José M. Igartuburu and Francisco A. Macías
Agronomy 2021, 11(11), 2174; https://doi.org/10.3390/agronomy11112174 - 28 Oct 2021
Cited by 15 | Viewed by 3307
Abstract
Strigolactones (SLs) are a prime example of allelochemicals, promoting parasitic plant germination and certain hyphal branching factors associated to the growth of symbiotic arbuscular mycorrhizal fungi (AMF). However, the study of SLs is complex, and various issues have yet to be studied in [...] Read more.
Strigolactones (SLs) are a prime example of allelochemicals, promoting parasitic plant germination and certain hyphal branching factors associated to the growth of symbiotic arbuscular mycorrhizal fungi (AMF). However, the study of SLs is complex, and various issues have yet to be studied in depth. This review intends to provide an overview of the works that have been conducted on the identification, isolation, and evaluation of the allelopathic activity of natural canonical and non-canonical SLs on parasitic weeds and AMF growth. These topics were related with their application in agriculture through trap crops, suicidal germination or intercropping strategies. The high applicability of SLs in agriculture, for example, as preventing herbicides for parasitic weed control, has increased the interest for these compounds and the number of research articles published. This review updates and discusses the last findings in this field, with special emphasis in the results published since 2015, using tables and graphs to summarize and discuss that information. The promising results and conclusions obtained from the bioassays herein presented provide a good reason to encourage and support further research works on these natural products, which must also consider the disadvantages or current limitations that SLs present. Full article
(This article belongs to the Special Issue Allelochemicals: Effects on Seed Germination and Plant Growth)
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