No abstract

O manejo das plantas daninhas em sistemas orgânicos de produção agrícola representa um grande desafio aos produtores. Para o enfretamento deste desafio torna-se necessário a exploração de práticas de manejo sustentáveis e o desenvolvimento de novas tecnologias. Ressalta-se que existe alternativas tecnológicas ou biológicas que podem ser utilizadas no manejo das plantas daninhas em sistemas orgânicos, e serem empregadas em grandes áreas. Estratégias culturais, biológicos, mecânicos e físicos de manejo podem ser eficientes no controle das plantas daninhas, bem como reduzir o uso de controle químico na agricultura convencional. Desta forma, esta revisão de literatura teve como objetivo o de apresentar métodos alternativos de controle de plantas daninhas e o potencial uso em áreas orgânicas de produção agrícola. Os métodos de controle das plantas daninhas em áreas orgânicas devem abordar sempre estratégias integradas e de forma sustentável.

Senna obtusifolia L., a common weed in the tropical and subtropical regions of the world, is able to germinate under adverse environmental conditions, suggesting that this species has efficient stress-adaptation strategies. The aims of the present work were to examine the energy metabolism and the antioxidant defense system of the Senna obtusifolia L. during seed germination and initial growth, and the responses to allelochemical-induced stress. Respiratory activity, the activities of alcohol dehydrogenase (ADH), superoxide dismutase (SOD), catalase (CAT),guaicol peroxidase (POD), ascorbate peroxidase (APX), glutathione reductase (GR), lipoxygenase (LOX) and the content of malondialdehyde (MDA) and glutathione (GSSG and GSH) were measured. Shortly after seed imbibition, mitochondrial respiratory activity was active and the presence of SOD, CAT, GR and LOX activity in embryos, along with significant KCN-insensitive respiration, indicated that the production of reactive oxygen species (ROS) is initiated as soon as mitochondrial respiration resumes. Among the fourteen allelochemicals assayed, only coumarin significantly supressed the growth of S. obtusifolia seedlings. Although coumarin reduced the activities of CAT, POD and APX, the GSH, GSSG and MDA levels were not altered. Alpha-pinene, quercetin and ferulic acid did not modify the activity of the antioxidant enzymes or the contents of GSH, GSSH and MDA. Thus the antioxidant defense system of S. obstusifolia may be effective in counteracting the harmful effects of ROS generated during seed germination and initial growth in the presence of toxic allelochemicals.

This study aimed to assess the allelopathic potential of the aqueous extract of the shoot of Sorghum bicolor at different phenological stages on seed germination and initial growth of kale (Brassica oleracea var. acephala) seedlings, which is considered a bioindicator species. The experiment was carried out at five development stages of S. bicolor (40, 50, 60, 70, and 80 days after emergence), which was used as aqueous extract at six concentrations (0, 20, 40, 60, 80, and 100%) applied in four replications per treatment in 10 or 50 kale seeds per plot. The percentage of germination, germination rate index, root growth, shoot length, and dry matter of kale seedlings were analyzed in the presence of this extract on different days of collection and concentrations. The aqueous extract of S. bicolor presented an allelopathic effect on germination and initial growth of kale seeds, with a higher inhibitory effect when more concentrated extracts from pre-flowering plants were used, which corresponds to 60 days after emergence. Thus, this stage should be recommended in the use of S. bicolor straw to help in controlling weeds.

Euphorbia heterophylla is a widely distributed weed whose seeds can remain viable in the soil for years, competing with crops. Therefore, natural herbal preparations could be a solution for its more diversified management. This study investigates the efficacy and mode of action of aqueous mixtures of Urochloa ruziziensis stems and Sorghum bicolor roots and stems on E. heterophylla seed germination, seedling development, antioxidant enzyme activity, and respiration. Aqueous mixtures with concentrations of 0 (control), 250, 500, 750 and 1000 ppm were prepared. E. heterophylla seeds were treated with the mixtures and incubated under controlled conditions. Seedling development, respiration, and enzyme activity were assessed after 4 days of incubation and germination was analyzed after 16 days. Urochloa ruziziensis and S. bicolor mixtures presented allelopathic effects on E. heterophylla inhibiting root growth, root fresh and dry weights and induced mitochondrial alterations resulting in oxidative stress, increasing the antioxidant enzymes catalase and peroxidase. U. ruziziensis and S. bicolor aqueous mixtures were found to have potential in controlling the weed E. heterophylla in laboratory tests.