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ALLYL ISOTHIOCYANATE RELEASE AND THE ALLELOPATHIC POTENTIAL OF BRASSICA NAPUS (BRASSICACEAE)
Author(s) -
Choesin Devi N.,
Boerner Ralph E. J.
Publication year - 1991
Publication title -
american journal of botany
Language(s) - English
Resource type - Journals
SCImago Journal Rank - 1.218
H-Index - 151
eISSN - 1537-2197
pISSN - 0002-9122
DOI - 10.1002/j.1537-2197.1991.tb14516.x
Subject(s) - allelopathy , brassica , biology , glucosinolate , brassicaceae , allyl isothiocyanate , botany , sinigrin , myrosinase , agronomy , germination , horticulture , biochemistry
The allelopathic potential of Brassica species has been attributed to release of the mustard oil glycosides which they produce in large quantities. Upon hydrolysis, these glucosinolates yield isothiocyanates, compounds with strong antibiotic properties. The objective of this study was to assess whether Brassica napus , a common and widespread crop and weed crucifer, is capable of allelopathic interference, and if so, whether its glycoside derivative, allyl isothiocyanate (AI), is capable of producing this interference. Wild type and low glucosinolate‐mutant B. napus were grown in low organic content soil under greenhouse conditions, and AI release into soil was monitored. Most plants released low levels of AI, though approximately 10% released much higher levels. Wild type plants released more AI than mutants. Growth of the target species, Medicago sativa , was not affected by additions of AI to soils at concentrations equal to the median and 95% quantile from the B. napus soils. In replacement series experiments, the two B. napus genotypes suppressed growth of M. sativa equally despite differences in AI release rate. In an intraspecific replacement series experiment, the two B. napus genotypes were equal competitors. Under our experimental conditions, B. napus showed no indication of being allelopathic, and AI concentrations typical of soils around B. napus plants did not inhibit target plants.