A. glabra is a wetland species, occurring in dense populations. This behavior may indicate strong competition with other species or the existence of an allelopathic process involved in this distribution. In this study, we aim to: a) evaluate the allelopathic potential of extracts produced by A. glabra leaves on germination and seedling growth of other species and on wheat coleoptile growth and b) verify the presence of substance groups on the extracts and fractions studied. The qualitative test detected triterpenes, tannins and flavonoids. A Liquid:liquid partition chromatography of aqueous extract was done, using hexane and ethyl acetate. The activities of the fractions obtained were tested on germination and initial growth of Lactuca sativa, Echinochloa crus-galli, Euphorbia heterophylla and Ipomoea grandifolia. The ethyl acetate fraction reduced L. sativa germination percentage and E. crus-galli mean germination time and affected the initial growth of all species. This fraction was purified by chromatographic column which resulted in five fractions (A, B, C, D and E). Four concentrations (1000; 158; 79; 39.5 ppm) were prepared for each one. Effects caused by fractions were evaluated by wheat coleoptile tests. Fraction A stimulated elongation at all concentrations except 1000 ppm. Fraction B was inhibitory at all concentrations except for the smaller one. C was inhibitory only at the higher concentration and E did not cause a significant effect.
allelopathy; coleoptiles; weed species
