Hanwen Wu

Laboratory screening for allelopathic potential of wheat (Triticum aestivum) accessions against annual ryegrass (Lolium rigidum)

A new screening bioassay, the ‘equal-compartment-agar-method (ECAM)’, was developed and employed to evaluate 92 wheat cultivars for their allelopathic activity on the inhibition of root growth of annual ryegrass (L. rigidum). Results showed that the allelopathic activity of wheat was associated with the sowing time of ryegrass seeds, the number of wheat seedlings, agar quantities, and agar concentrations. The addition of activated charcoal into the agar medium significantly alleviated wheat allelopathic inhibition on the root growth of ryegrass, indicating that wheat allelopathic activity is chemically driven. There were significant differences between wheat cultivars in their allelopathic potential at the seedling stage on the inhibition of root elongation of annual ryegrass, varying from 23.98% to 90.91%. Re-screening of 22 selected wheat accessions showed that the allelopathic potential of wheat cultivars is consistent between different years under the same experimental conditions. This newly developed screening bioassay successfully separated the allelopathic effect from the competitive effect between wheat and ryegrass plants, and enabled the constant release and accumulation of allelochemicals from living wheat seedlings into the growth medium to affect the growth of ryegrass. The influence of microorganisms was also avoided because of the sterile conditions. The present study describes this new bioassay suitable for the efficient screening of a large number of wheat cultivars under laboratory conditions.

Evaluation of seedling allelopathy in 453 wheat (Triticum aestivum) accessions against annual ryegrass (Lolium rigidum) by the equal-compartment-agar method.

Allelopathy has been receiving world-wide attention for its potential in integrated weed management. A newly developed screening bioassay, the ‘equal-compartment-agar method’ (ECAM), was used to evaluate seedling allelopathy against annual ryegrass in a collection of 453 wheat accessions originating from 50 countries. Significant differences in allelopathic potential were found in this worldwide collection, inhibiting root growth of ryegrass from 9.7% to 90.9%. Wheat seedling allelopathy also varied significantly with accessions from different countries. Wheat allelopathic activity was normally distributed within the collection, indicating the involvement of multiple genes conferring the allelopathic trait. Of the 453 wheat accessions screened, 2 distinct groups were identified. Condor-derivatives were more allelopathic than Pavon-derivatives, with an average inhibition of root growth of ryegrass by 76% and 46%, respectively. Research was further extended to investigate the near isogenic lines derived from Hartog (Pavon-derivative) and Janz (Condor-derivative). Hartog and its backcrossed lines were less allelopathic than Janz and its backcrossed lines, inhibiting root length of ryegrass by 45% and 81%, respectively. These results strongly indicate that wheat allelopathic activity might also be controlled by major genes, depending on the particular populations. The present study demonstrates that there is a considerable genetic variation of allelopathic activity in wheat germplasm. It is possible to breed for cultivars with enhanced allelopathic activity for weed suppression.

Distribution and exudation of allelochemicals in wheat Triticum aestivum.

Wheat allelopathy has potential for weed suppression. Allelochemicals were identified in wheat seedlings, and they were exuded from seedlings into agar growth medium. p-Hydroxybenzoic, trans-p-coumaric, cis-p-coumaric, syringic, vanillic, trans-ferulic, and cis-ferulic acids and 2,4-dihydroxy-7-methoxy-1,4-benzoxazin-3-one (DIMBOA) were identified in both the shoots and roots of 17-day-old wheat seedlings and their associated agar growth medium. Wheat accessions with previously identified allelopathic activity tended to contain higher levels of allelochemicals than poorly allelopathic ones. The allelopathic compounds present in the shoots generally also were identified in the roots and in the agar medium. Allelochemicals were distributed differentially in wheat, with roots normally containing higher levels of allelochemicals than the shoots. When the eight allelochemicals were grouped into benzoic acid and cinnamic acid derivatives, DIMBOA, total coumaric, and total ferulic acids, the amount of each group of allelochemicals was correlated between the roots and the shoots. Most of the allelochemicals identified in the shoots and roots could be exuded by the living roots of wheat seedling into the agar growth medium. However, the amounts of allelochemicals in the agar growth medium were not proportional to those in the roots. Results suggest that wheat plants may retain allelochemicals once synthesized. The presence of allelochemicals in the agar growth medium demonstrated that wheat seedlings were able to synthesize and to exude phytotoxic compounds through their root system that could inhibit the root growth of annual ryegrass.

Allelochemicals in Wheat (Triticum aestivum L.): Production and Exudation of 2,4-Dihydroxy-7-Methoxy-1,4-Benzoxazin-3-One

An analytical technique employing gas chromatography and tandem mass spectrometry (GC/MS/MS) was employed to systematically screen fifty-eight wheat accessions for their differential production of 2,4-dihydroxy-7-methoxy-1,4-benzoxazin-3-one (DIMBOA) from three consecutive sources, i.e., the shoots, roots, and in the associated agar growth medium (collected as root exudates) of 17-day-old wheat seedlings. DIMBOA content differed significantly in the shoots, roots, or in the agar growth medium between accessions. DIMBOA accumulated differentially within the plant, with roots containing more DIMBOA than the shoots. Only 19% of accessions were able to exude DIMBOA from living roots into their growth medium, indicating the exudation of DIMBOA is accession-specific. DIMBOA level in root tissues is expected to be high when a high level of DIMBOA content is detected in the shoots. Wheat seedlings did not release detectable amounts of DIMBOA when the DIMBOA level was low in the root tissues. The valuable genetic material with high levels of DIMBOA in the shoots or roots identified in the present research could be used to breed for wheat cultivars with elevated allelopathic activity.

Autotoxicity of wheat (Triticum aestivum L.) as determined by laboratory bioassays

AbstractsWheat varietal autotoxicity and varietal allelopathy were assessed based on plant extract and root exudate bioassays under laboratory conditions. Aqueous extract of wheat differed in varietal autotoxicity and varietal allelopathy, inhibiting wheat germination by 2–21%, radicle growth by 15–30%, and coleoptile growth by 5–20%, depending on the combination of the receiver and donor. Extracts of cv Triller or cv Currawong were more allelopathic to other wheat varieties than cv Batavia and cv Federation. Triller extract was more autotoxic than Federation. Assessment of root exudates by the equal-compartment-agar-method further identified the significant differences in varietal autotoxicity and varietal allelopathy of root exudates between wheat varieties, with root exudates of Triller or Batavia showing stronger autotoxic or allelopathic effects than Currawong or Federation. The varietal autotoxicity and allelopathy of root exudates also showed a characteristic radial inhibitory pattern in the agar growth medium. These results suggest that careful selection of suitable wheat varieties is necessary in a continuous cropping system in order to minimize the negative impacts of varietal allelopathy and varietal autotoxicity. Factors affecting autotoxicity in the field and strategies in autotoxicity management are discussed.

Simultaneous determination of phenolic acids and 2,4-dihydroxy-7-methoxy-1,4-benzoxazin-3-one in wheat (Triticum aestivum L.) by gas chromatography-tandem mass spectrometry.

A procedure using gas chromatography and tandem mass spectrometry (GC-MS-MS) has been developed for the identification and quantification of some allelochemicals in wheat (Triticum aestivum L.). The quantities of allelochemicals in wheat shoots ranged from 2.9 to 110 mg per kilogram of dry shoot residues. Compared with gas chromatography-mass spectrometry (GC-MS), the GC-MS-MS technique significantly increased instrument selectivity and sensitivity, thereby providing more reliable quantitation results in the determination of the phytotoxic compounds examined during this allelopathy research.

Screening methods for the evaluation of crop allelopathic potential

There is increasing interest in the development of allelopathic crop varieties for weed suppression. Allelopathic varieties are likely to be able to suppress weeds by natural exudation of bioactive allelochemicals, thereby reducing dependence upon synthetic herbicides. Screening bioassays are essential tools in identifying crop accessions with allelopathic potential. A number of crops have been screened for this allelopathic trait, and key issues in selecting and designing screening bioassays are reviewed. It is recommended that a combination of different bioassays be used in the evaluation of crop allelopathic potential. Laboratory bioassays, field testing, and chemical screening are important steps, and none of them can be precluded if conclusive evidence of crop allelopathy is to be established. More concerted efforts are needed in screening crop germplasm before the development of allelopathic varieties occurs.

Factors Affecting Silverleaf Nightshade (Solanum elaeagnifolium) Germination

Abstract Silverleaf nightshade is a widespread, deep-rooted, summer-growing perennial that significantly reduces production in Australian crop and pasture systems. It has an extensive root system, which competes both directly and indirectly with summer and winter pastures and crops through depletion of soil moisture and nutrients. Long-distance dispersal of seeds is an important mechanism for its spread and management. A range of experiments was conducted to determine the factors influencing seed production and seedbank dynamics. Seed production ranged from 1,814 to 2,945 m−2. Diurnally fluctuating temperatures of 25/15 C provided the optimal thermal conditions for germination, with germination not affected by light. Osmotic stress reduced germination, with no germination occurring at −1MPa. Germination was reduced to 5% at 160 mM NaCl, suggesting some salt sensitivity. Germination occurred over a pH range of 4 to 10, but declined with increasing acidity. Viability of buried seed declined to around 20% after 3 yr, with seed buried at 10 cm remaining the most viable. The prolonged seed persistence in the soil indicates a long-term control program is necessary for depleting the soil seedbank. Nomenclature: Silverleaf nightshade, Solanum elaeagnifolium Cav. SOLEL.

Competitive ability of Australian canola (Brassica napus) genotypes for weed management

Abstract. Canola (Brassica napus L.) is an important break crop in Australian cropping systems but weeds are a major cost to production and herbicide-resistant weeds are spreading. The potential competitive ability of canola genotypes to both suppress weed growth and maintain grain yield and quality in the presence of weeds has not been determined in Australia. Two experiments examined the range in competitive ability of 16 B. napus genotypes against annual ryegrass (Lolium rigidum Gaud.) and volunteer wheat (Triticum aestivum L.) over two contrasting seasons. Weed biomass at flowering was generally reduced 50% more in the presence of the strongly competitive genotypes than the least competitive, and this has significant benefits for lower weed seed production and reduced seedbank replenishment. Suppression of weed growth was negatively correlated with crop biomass. Significant differences in grain yield of canola were recorded between weedy and weed-free plots, depending on crop genotype, presence of weeds and season. Crop yield tolerance (where 0% = no tolerance and 100% = complete tolerance) to ryegrass competition ranged from 0% (e.g. with CB-Argyle) to 30–40% (e.g. with the hybrids 46Y78 and Hyola-50) in the dry season of 2009. Yield tolerance was higher (50–100%) with the lower densities of volunteer wheat and in the 2010 season. The range between genotypes was similar for both conditions. The hybrids and AV-Garnet were higher yielding and more competitive than the triazine-tolerant cultivars. The ranking of genotypes for competitiveness was strongly influenced by seasonal conditions; some genotypes were consistently more competitive than others. Competitive crops are a low-cost tactic for integrated weed management to reduce dependence on herbicides and retard the spread of herbicide-resistant weeds.

Phytotoxic Activity and Chemical Composition of Aqueous Volatile Fractions from Eucalyptus Species

The essential oils from four Eucalyptus species (E. spathulata, E. salubris, E. brockwayii and E. dundasii) have been previously confirmed to have stronger inhibitory effects on germination and seedling growth of silverleaf nightshade (Solanum elaeagnifolium Cav.). The aqueous volatile fractions (AVFs) were the water soluble volatile fractions produced together with the essential oils (water insoluble fractions) during the steam distillation process. The aim of this study was to further assess the phytotoxicity of AVFs from the four Eucalyptus species and their chemical composition. The fresh leaves of the four Eucalyptus species were used for the extraction of AVFs. The AVFs were tested for their phytotoxic effects on the perennial weed, silverleaf nightshade under laboratory conditions. The chemical compositions of the AVFs were determined by gas chromatograph–mass spectrometry (GC-MS). Our results showed that the AVFs had strong inhibition on the germination and seedling growth of silverleaf nightshade. The inhibition index increased with the increasing concentrations of AVFs. The inhibitory effects of the AVFs varied between different Eucalyptus species. The AVF from E. salubris demonstrated the highest inhibitory activity on the weed tested, with complete inhibition on germination and seedling growth at a concentration of 75%. The GC-MS analysis revealed that 1,8-cineole, isopentyl isovalerate, isomenthol, pinocarvone, trans-pinocarveol, alpha-terpineol and globulol were the main compounds in the AVFs. These results indicated that all AVFs tested had differential inhibition on the germination and seedling growth of silverleaf nightshade, which could be due to the joint effects of compounds present in the AVFs as these compounds were present in different quantities and ratio between Eucalyptus species.