Patrícia Umeda Grisi

Effect of Serjania lethalis ethanolic extract on weed control

The objective of this study was to evaluate the effect of the ethanolic extract of Serjania lethalis leaves and stems on the diaspore germination and seedling growth of wild poinsettia (Euphorbia heterophylla) and barnyardgrass (Echinochloa crus-galli). The crude ethanolic extract was prepared from 100 g of dry plant material dissolved in 500 ml of ethanol. The extracts were solubilized in a buffer solution containing dimethyl sulfoxide (DMSO) at concentrations of 10.0, 7.5, 5.0 and 2.5 mg mL-1. The effect of these extracts was compared with herbicide oxyfluorfen in bioassays. The ethanolic extracts of S. lethalis leaves and stems inhibited the germination and seedling growth of barnyardgrass and wild poinsettia in a concentration-dependent manner. The reduction in the root length of E. heterophylla seedlings might be attributed to the reduced elongation of metaxylem cells. The phytotoxicity of the extracts ranged according to the receptor species, and for some variables, the inhibitory effect was similar, and even superior, to that of the commercial herbicide. Thus, S. lethalis extracts might be a promising alternative for sustainable weed management.

Allelopathic interference of Sapindus saponaria root and mature leaf aqueous extracts on diaspore germination and seedling growth of Lactuca sativa and Allium cepa

Sapindus saponaria (soapberry) is a species that presents a great diversity of chemical compounds, such as saponins; however, few studies have examined the allelopathic effect of this species. Therefore, this study provides an evaluation of the allelopathic potential of aqueous extracts of the roots and mature leaves of S. saponaria on the germination of diaspores and seedlings growth of lettuce (Lactuca sativa) and onion (Allium cepa). The aqueous extract was prepared in the proportion of 100 g of dry plant material in 1,000 mL of distilled water (a concentration of 10% w v-1), and diluted with distilled water to 7.5, 5.0 and 2.5% concentrations. The mature leaf extracts caused delay and decrease in the germination process of the lettuce and onion diaspores, with inhibitory effect concentration-dependent, while the root extracts showed no allelopathic effects on the germination process. Both extracts caused abnormalities and inhibited the growth of shoot and root seedlings.

Efeito alelopático do fruto de Sapindus saponaria na germinação e na morfologia de plântulas daninhas e de hortaliças

O objetivo deste estudo foi avaliar o potencial alelopatico do extrato aquoso de frutos de Sapindus saponaria (sabao-de-soldado) na germinacao de diasporos e na morfologia de plântulas de Lactuca sativa (alface), Allium cepa (cebola), Echinochloa crus-galli (capim-arroz) e Ipomoea grandifolia (corda-de-viola). O extrato aquoso dos frutos foi preparado na proporcao de 100 g de material vegetal fresco para 1.000 mL de agua destilada, produzindo-se a concentracao de 10%. A partir dele, foram feitas diluicoes em agua destilada para 7,5, 5,0 e 2,5%. O extrato do fruto Sapindus saponaria evidenciou potencialidades alelopaticas tanto sobre as especies de hortalicas quanto sobre as de plantas daninhas. O efeito inibitorio sobre o processo de germinacao dos diasporos e morfologia das plântulas de alface, cebola, capim-arroz e corda-de-viola foi dependente da concentracao. Os resultados mostram o potencial do extrato proveniente dos frutos de Sapindus saponaria como um herbicida a ser utilizado em praticas de agricultura sustentavel.

Insecticidal action of Drimys brasiliensis Miers on black citrus aphid

The aim of this study was to evaluate the insecticidal effects of a hexane fraction and polygodial compound obtained from Drimys brasiliensis roots on the mortality of adults and nymphs of Toxoptera citricida (black citrus aphid). For the hexane fraction, solutions of 0.12, 0.25, 0.50, 1.0, and 2.0 mg mL-1 were prepared, and for the compound, solutions of 62.5, 125, 250, and 500 µg mL-1 were prepared. A control with water and dimethylsulfoxide (5 µg mL-1) was also included. Two hexane-fraction-solution application methods were evaluated: spraying directly onto the insect, and submerging a young Citrus limonia shoots in the solution, which served as a refuge for the aphids. Nymph and adult mortality were assessed at 24 and 48 h after solution application. The hexane fraction caused high mortality amongst the T. citricida nymphs and adults. The lowest LC50 value (0.301 mg mL) was recorded in the nymphs when the solutions were applied directly onto the insects. The polygodial compound that was isolated from the hexane fraction significantly increased the mortality of adults and nymphs, with LC50 values of 293.8 and 176.77 µg mL-1, respectively. The insecticidal activity observed may have been caused by this compound.

Phytotoxic activity of crude aqueous extracts and fractions of young leaves of Sapindus saponaria L. (Sapindaceae)

The aim of this study was to evaluate the phytotoxic potential of aqueous extract of young leaves of Sapindus saponaria L. (soapberry) on the diaspore germination and seedling growth Lactuca sativa L. (lettuce) and Allium cepa L. (onion), as well as to determine, by bioassay-guided fractioning, whether the fractionated extracts of those leaves are phytotoxic to Triticum aestivum L. (wheat) coleoptiles. The aqueous extract was prepared using 100 g of dried plant material dissolved in 1000 ml of distilled water, resulting in a concentration of 10.0%. Distilled water was added in order to obtain dilutions of 7.5%, 5.0%, and 2.5%. The extraction was carried out with young leaves (in powder form) and organic solvents of various polarities. We fractioned the ethyl acetate extract using column chromatography. The phytotoxic potential of the aqueous extract of young leaves S. saponaria varied according to the receiving species and the concentration-dependent inhibitory effect. The ethyl acetate extract, specifically fraction 6 (57-70), had the greatest inhibitory effect on the elongation of wheat coleoptiles, indicating that the compounds responsible for the phytotoxic effect reside within this fraction.