Inhibitory Activity of Asparagus Root Tissue and Extracts on Asparagus Seedlings

Abstract

Asparagus (Asparagus officinalis L.) root tissue and root extracts were used to investigate the previously reported release of toxic chemicals from senescing root tissue. Greenhouse studies showed that the severity of crown or root rot of asparagus seedlings increased in direct proportion to increased amounts of dried root tissue incorporated into soil with either F. oxysporum f. sp. asparagi, F. moniliforme, or a combination of these two pathogens. When excised asparagus roots were treated with increasing concentrations of a water extract of dried asparagus root tissues, electrolyte efflux increased, peroxidase activity decreased linearly, and respiration decreased. Active components in the extracts were heat-stable. Our data suggest allelochemicals of asparagus may have direct physiological and biochemical effects on asparagus plants that predisposes them to fusarium diseases.