RESUMO
The aim of this investigation was to determine if sorgoleone (SGL), ap-benzoquinone inSorghum bicolor root exudate, is a photosynthesis inhibitor. Assays usingGlycine max leaf disks showed concentrations as low as 10µM SGL inhibited oxygen evolution more than 50%. Tests conducted on chloroplasts isolated fromPisum sativum showed that SGL is a powerful inhibitor of CO2-dependent oxygen evolution. Using a chloroplast suspension equivalent to 80-100µg chlorophyll, the I50 was approximately 0.2µM SGL. These data indicate inhibition of photosynthesis is part of the explanation for growth reduction caused by this allelochemical.
RESUMO
Root exudates ofSorghum bicolor consist primarily of a dihydroquinone that is quickly oxidized to ap-benzoquinone named sorgoleone. The aim of this investigation was to determine the potential activity of sorgoleone as an inhibitor of weed growth. Bioassays showed 125µM sorgoleone reduced radicle elongation ofEragrostis tef. In liquid culture, 50-µM sorgoleone treatments stunted the growth ofLemna minor. Over a 10-day treatment period, 10µM sorgoleone in the nutrient medium reduced the growth of all weed seedlings tested:Abutilon theophrasti, Datura stramonium, Amaranthus retroflexus, Setaria viridis, Digitaria sanguinalis, andEchinochloa crusgalli. These data show sorgoleone has biological activity at extremely low concentrations, suggesting a strong contribution toSorghum allelopathy.