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Germination Stimulants of Witchweed (Striga asiatica) from Hydrophobic Root Exudate of Sorghum (Sorghum bicolor)

Published online by Cambridge University Press:  12 June 2017

David H. Netzly ,
James L. Riopel ,
Gebisa Ejeta  and
Larry G. Butler
David H. Netzly
Affiliation:
Biochemistry Dep., Purdue Univ., West Lafayette, IN 47907
James L. Riopel
Affiliation:
Biol. Dep., Univ. Virginia, Charlottesville, VA 22901
Gebisa Ejeta
Affiliation:
Biochemistry Dep., Purdue Univ., West Lafayette, IN 47907
Larry G. Butler
Affiliation:
Biochemistry Dep., Purdue Univ., West Lafayette, IN 47907
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Abstract

Hydrophobic exudate from roots of sorghum [Sorghum bicolor (L.) Moench. #3 SORVU ‘IS 8768’] contain four p-benzoquinones which in the dihydroquinone form are active as germination stimulants of witchweed [Striga asiatica (L.) Kuntz. # STRLU]. The three minor p-benzoquinones were partially characterized and found to be structurally similar to sorgoleone, the major p-benzoquinone of this exudate. Herbicidal activity of the hydrophobic exudate was due to concentration- and pH-dependent inhibition of root elongation in some but not all weeds tested. Witchweed has apparently adapted these “defense” compounds of sorghum as host-specific germination stimulants.

Keywords

Sorgoleonesp-benzoquinonesallelochemicalscontact allergensLactuca sativaSTRLUSORVUAMARE

Information

Type
Physiology, Chemistry, and Biochemistry
Information
Weed Science , Volume 36 , Issue 4 , July 1988 , pp. 441 - 446
Copyright
Copyright © 1988 by the Weed Science Society of America 

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References

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