Allelopathic effects of Parthenium hysterophorus L - Part IV. Identification of inhibitors

Abstract

Analysis of the inhibitors from allelopathic species of Parthenium hysterophorus L. revealed that sesquiterpene lactones and phenolics formed an important group of water soluble compounds involved in allelopathy. Parthenin was the major sesquiterpene lactone involved though dampsin was also found in traces. Caffeic acid, vanillic acid, ferulic acid, chlorogenic acid, and anisic acid among the phenolics and fumaric acid among the organic acids were the important constituents of the air dried parts of the plant, many of them being traced in the root exudates, leaf washings, pollen and trichome leachates. © 1980 Martinus Nijhoff Publishers