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Aqueous extract of air-dried lambsquarters (Chenopodium album) at 25 mg/ml significantly inhibited germination and growth of radish and wheat seeds. Soybean seed germination was not inhibited; however, hypocotyl growth was significantly reduced. Germination of radish seeds in sand amended with pulverized lambsquarters shoots at 2 and 4 mg/g was reduced 40 and 95%, respectively. Shoot dry weight and plant height were also reduced 30 and 9%, respectively, at 4 mg/g, but not at 2 mg/g concentration. Residues after extraction with water incorporated in sand were not inhibitory, indicating water solubility of the inhibitor(s). Aqueous extract of shoots decomposed for five days lost nearly 40% of its inhibitory effect; 20% of it still persisted in the extract of shoots decomposed for 30 days. The filtrate from ultrafiltration of aqueous extract through a pad of molecular-weight cutoff 1000 inhibited radish seeds germination and growth, indicating that the molecular weight of the inhibitor(s) was less than 1000. Partitioning of the aqueous extract by a series of solvents resulted in isolation of an inhibitor(s) in the butanol fraction. Seven phenolics were identified in this fraction using high-performance liquid chromatography (HPLC). Paper chromatographic analysis of the butanol fraction revealed six bands, of which one band withR f =0.83 inhibited germination and growth of radish seeds. Chlorogenic acid identified by HPLC appeared to be the principal component of the phytotoxin.

Crop losses from weeds worldwide average 10% annually. Herbicide application is almost essential in modern agriculture to maintain high productivity. Increased awareness of the environmental damage caused by continued use of conventional synthetic herbicides has aroused great interest in biodegradable, selective and environmentally friendly herbicides. The increasing incidence of herbicide resistance in weeds has stimulated research for herbicidal compounds with new or novel sites and modes of action. Microbial metabolites have become the focus of attention of researchers searching for natural product alternatives to conventional herbicides. Two well-known commercial herbicides of microbial origin are anisomycin (commercial analogue, methoxyphenon) and bialaphos. Both were isolated from members of actinomycetes. Several phytotoxins have been isolated from microbial metabolites, e.g., herbicidins A and B, herbimycins A and B, nigericin, tentoxin and others. The list of microbial phytotoxins continues to M. increase. Actinomycetes are the major source of several herbicides and other bioactive compounds. The potential of discovering new phytotoxins from metabolites of microorganisms is still unlimited. Methods of isolation of actinomycetes, their screening for phytotoxins, separation of phytotoxins from metabolites and partial purification of the toxins are described. Included are screening of soil fungi for phytotoxin, mass culture of fungi, and bioassays.

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