Phenolic substances as allelopathic agents arising during the degradation of rye (Secale cereale) tissues

Abstract

Rye seedlings, tillering plants and crop residues were allowed to decompose in model incubation experiments. Young tissues gave rise to high concentrations of allelochemicals, whereas crop residues did not produce inhibitors. Seven phenolic acids were identified in the investigated materials; p-hydroxybenzoic, protocatechuic, gallic, vanillic, syringic, p-coumaric, ferulic as well as benzoic acid. However, neither the level of these acids nor the total content of phenolic compounds corresponded to the level of phytotoxicity determined in bioassays. This demonstrated that, apart from phenolics, other unidentified water-soluble organic compounds were also responsible for the toxicity of rye decomposition products.

Effects of a short-term p-hydroxybenzoic acid application on grain yield and yield components in different tiller categories of spring barley

“…Extensive research has identified the chemical nature of allelochemicals associated with decomposing cereal residues as being mainly phenolic and short chain aliphatic acids (Chou and Patrick, 1976;Guenzi and McCalla, 1966;Tang and Waiss, 1978;Wojcik-Wojtkowiak et al, 1990). In addition, Norstadt and McCalla (1963) isolated the antibiotic patulin produced by a number of different soil fungi as another cause for toxicity problems in mulch farming.…”

The dynamics of microflora and the occurrence of phytotoxic substances in different soils with corn residues and inorganic nitrogen

“…The presence of phytotoxic substances in the soils and sand was evidenced by results of bioassays performed as described in the study of W6jcik-Wojtkowiak et al (1990). The test plant was wheat cv.…”

Allelopathy, an alternative tool to improve cropping systems. A review

“…Its allelopathic activity has mainly been investigated in relation to its ability to suppress weeds when used as green manure or as a cover crop (due to its massive biomass production) and root exudate release of allelochemicals (Barnes and Putnam, 1983;Kruse et al, 2000;Pérez and Ormeno-Nunez, 1993;Wójcik-Wojtkowiak et al, 1990). Its known effective allelochemicals include phenolic acids [beta-phenyl-lactic acid (PLA) and beta-hydroxybutyric acid (HBA)], hydroxamic acids [2,4-dihydroxy-1,4(2H)-benzoxazin-3-one (DIBOA), 2(3H)-benzoxazolinone (BOA) and 2,2'-oxo-1,1'-azobenzene (AZOB, which is a compound formed by the microbial transformation of rye residues)].…”