Salicylic Acid Enhances the Seed Germination and Initially Physiological Growth in Alfalfa (Medicago Sativa L.) by Involving Anti-Oxidation System

Allelopathic effects of cold water extracts of Cuscuta epithymum L. on seed germination and initial development of Medicago sativa L. varieties were investigated under laboratory conditions at the Institute of Forage Crops, Pleven, during 2016-2017. It was found that the water extracts from dry biomass of C. epithymum had a considerably stronger inhibitory effect on the studied M. sativa varieties (IR 32.7-100.0 %), as compared to the extracts of fresh biomass (IR 0.2-40.5%). Depending on the kind of C. epithymum extract (fresh or dry parasitic weed biomass), IRs for seed germination of the tested M. sativa varieties could be conventionally classified into five groups: 1) seed germination stimulation, -1.4% - extracts from fresh biomass affecting the variety ?Multifoliolate?; 2) seed germination inhibition of 0.1-10% - extracts prepared from fresh biomass affecting the varieties ?Prista 3?, ?Pleven 6?, ?Prista 5? and ?Obnova?; 3) seed germination inhibition of 11-20% - extracts from fresh biomass affecting the varieties ?Roly? and ?Victoria?; 4) seed germination inhibition of 30-45% - extracts from dry biomass affecting the variety ?Multifoliolate?; 5) seed germination inhibition of 46-60% - extracts from dry biomass affecting the varieties ?Prista 5?, ?Prista 3?, ?Victoria?, ?Roly?, ?Dara?, ?Pleven 6? and ?Obnova?. The varieties ?Victoria?, ?Prista 5? and ?Multifoliolate? of M. sativa possess some allelopathic tolerance because their germination indexes (GI) range from 80.5 to 88.7 % for the extracts prepared from fresh weed biomass of C. epithymum, and from 47.1 to 48.6% for the extracts from dry weed biomass, compared to control treatment. These varieties can be used as components in future breeding programmes.

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Allelopathic and Autotoxic Effects of Medicago sativa—Derived Allelochemicals

Plants ◽

10.3390/plants8070233 ◽

2019 ◽

Vol 8 (7) ◽

pp. 233 ◽

Cited By ~ 5

Author(s):

Bimal Kumar Ghimire ◽

Balkrishna Ghimire ◽

Chang Yeon Yu ◽

Ill-Min Chung

Keyword(s):

Salicylic Acid ◽

Phenolic Compounds ◽

Seed Germination ◽

Medicago Sativa ◽

High Performance ◽

Germination Rate ◽

Chenopodium Album ◽

Principal Component ◽

Alfalfa Seed

In this study, the allelopathic properties of Medicago sativa on different weeds were investigated under in vitro conditions. The compounds involved in the autotoxicity of M. sativa were analyzed using high-performance liquid chromatography. The extracts of all concentrations inhibited the growth of the calluses of Digitaria ciliaris, Chenopodium album, Amaranthus lividus, Portulaca oleracea, and Commelina communis. Six allelopathic compounds in alfalfa were identified and quantified, and the most predominant phenolic compounds were salicylic acid and p-hydroxybenzoic acid. Various concentrations (10−2, 10−3, and 10−5 M) of all the tested phenolic compounds exerted inhibitory effects on callus fresh weight. Rutin, salicylic acid, scopoletin, and quercetin significantly inhibited alfalfa seed germination. Of the seven identified saponins, medicagenic acid saponins exhibited the highest autotoxic effect and significantly lowered seed germination rate. Principal component analysis showed that the phenolic compounds and saponin composition significantly contributed to the different variables. The highly phytotoxic properties of the alfalfa-derived phenolic compounds and saponins indicate that these phytochemicals can be a potential source of bioherbicides.

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