Asteraceae family: a review of its allelopathic potential and the case of Acmella oleracea and Sphagneticola trilobata

Abstract

Asteraceae family is as an interesting target for researching natural alternatives for crop protection. Many species from this family grow as weeds, and some of them can influence the development of other species by the allelopathy phenomenon. This paper aimed to review the literature for the main genera and species of the Asteraceae family with allelopathic or phytotoxic potential, as well as the classes of secondary metabolites present in this family and responsible for such activity. Artemisia, Ambrosia, Bellis, Bidens, Helianthus and Tagetes were identified as the main genera with phytotoxic or allelopathic activity. Among the secondary metabolites from this family, terpenes, polyacetylenes, saponins, sesquiterpene lactones, phenolic acids and flavonoids were described as responsible for inhibiting the development of other species. In addition, the phytotoxic potential of Acmella oleracea and Sphagneticola trilobata against the weeds Calopogonium mucunoides. and Ipomoea purpurea was described for the first time. At 0.2 mg/mL, crude extract and fractions of A. oleracea inhibited above 60% of C. mucunoides root growth. Hydroalcoholic extract and fractions of S. trilobata, except hexane, significantly affected I. purpurea root growth, ranging from 38 ± 14% to 59 ± 8% of inhibitory effect at different concentrations (0.19 mg/mL to 1.13 mg/mL).

The allelochemical potential of an invasive ornamental plant, the Indian blanket flower (Gaillardia pulchella Foug.)

“…Among the members of the Asteraceae family, there is a notorious proportion of adventive species (Pyšek, 1998). The reason behind this is partly the fact that many of these species are used as ornamental plants (Araújo et al, 2021).…”

“…Among the members of the Asteraceae family, there is a notorious proportion of adventive species (Pyšek, 1998). The reason behind this is partly the fact that many of these species are used as ornamental plants (Araújo et al, 2021). On the other hand, a more detailed examination of invasive species within the family has revealed that they possess several biological characteristics that can confer advantages in successful invasive processes over native species.…”

“…These include high reproductive rates, specialized dispersal mechanisms (Yan et al, 2016), and a diversity of metabolic compounds. The latter is responsible for strongly inhibiting or hindering the germination and growth of native and competing plant species in the new habitat through allelopathic effects (Araújo et al, 2021; Pyšek & Richardson, 2008). This is because over the course of evolution, species living in close proximity have successfully adapted to each other's metabolic byproducts, whereas a “foreign” species arriving from a distant location is more likely to contain compounds to which native plants could be more sensitive (Callaway & Aschehoug, 2000).…”

Ethnobotanical Survey of Plants Used by Subsistence Farmers in Mitigating Cabbage and Spinach Diseases in OR Tambo Municipality, South Africa

“…Asteraceae comprises an interesting group of plants that are viewed as natural alternatives for crop protection. The majority of the members in the family have allelopathic properties, and hence may offer crop protection [ 42 ]. Most of the plant species reported were herbs (59%), which is similar to a study by Skenjana and Poswal [ 20 ], where the majority of the plants reported to be used for pest control in cabbage were herbs.…”

A Review of the Chemistry and Biological Activities of Acmella oleracea (“jambù”, Asteraceae), with a View to the Development of Bioinsecticides and Acaricides

“…In India, jambù is used as an aphrodisiac to increase desire and improve a man’s sexual function [ 31 ]. Its range of applications in traditional medicine is wide and includes other uses such as tonic, anticonvulsant, antifungal, antiprotozoal, antidiarrheal, antimalarial, antiulcer, antipyretic, diuretic, anti-inflammatory, diuretic, and insecticide [ 27 , 31 , 62 ].…”