Premium
The production by species of Allium of alkyl sulphides and their effect on germination of sclerotia of Sclerotium cepivorum Berk
Author(s) -
COLEYSMITH J. R.,
KING J. E.
Publication year - 1969
Publication title -
annals of applied biology
Language(s) - English
Resource type - Journals
SCImago Journal Rank - 0.677
H-Index - 80
eISSN - 1744-7348
pISSN - 0003-4746
DOI - 10.1111/j.1744-7348.1969.tb02879.x
Subject(s) - sclerotium , allium , germination , alkyl , biology , allium sativum , liliaceae , horticulture , distillation , botany , organic chemistry , chemistry
A number of n ‐propyl and allyl sulphides were shown to stimulate germination of sclerotia of Sclerotium cepivorum in soil. Several of these sulphides were evolved by chopped garlic cloves and onion bulbs, and by their extracts, as well as by distillates and condensates prepared from extracts. Sulphides produced by garlic were methyl and allyl compounds, whereas those of onion were methyl and n ‐propyl derivatives. Few or no volatile sulphides were detected by gas chromatography of head spaces of intact Allium plants although it is considered that small quantities of sulphides may be produced from these plants in soil. The stimulatory activity of distillates and condensates appears to be entirely due to their alkyl sulphide content and that of extracts at least partially so.