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Allelopathic potential ofnuphar lutea (L.) Sibth. & Sm. (Nymphaeaceae)
1Department of Chemistry and Biochemistry and Department of Biological Sciences, University of Southern Mississippi, 39406, Hattiesburg, Mississippi.
Journal of Chemical Ecology
|November 22, 2013
Summary
Aqueous extracts from Nuphar lutea (L.) Sibth. & Sm. demonstrate potent allelopathic activity, significantly inhibiting lettuce seedling growth and Lemna minor L. development. These findings highlight Nuphar lutea as a highly inhibitory hydrophyte.
Area of Science:
- Plant Science
- Ecology
- Biochemistry
Background:
- Allelopathy, the chemical inhibition of one plant by another, plays a crucial role in plant community structure.
- Aquatic ecosystems are influenced by allelochemicals released by aquatic plants.
- Nuphar lutea (L.) Sibth. & Sm. is a common aquatic plant, but its allelopathic potential is not well-characterized.
Purpose of the Study:
- To investigate the allelopathic activity of aqueous extracts from Nuphar lutea leaves and roots/rhizomes.
- To quantify the inhibitory effects on lettuce (Lactuca sativa) seedlings and duckweed (Lemna minor L.).
- To compare the allelopathic potential of Nuphar lutea with other previously studied aquatic plants.
Main Methods:
- Aqueous extracts were prepared from Nuphar lutea leaves and roots/rhizomes.
- Lettuce seedling growth inhibition was assessed using radicle length measurements.
- Lemna minor growth was evaluated by measuring frond number and total chlorophyll content.
- Extracts were tested at various concentrations (12.5 to 250 parts per thousand).
Main Results:
- All tested concentrations of Nuphar lutea extracts (12.5-250 ppt) were lethal to lettuce seedlings.
- At 2.5 ppt, lettuce radicle growth was reduced to approximately 30% of the control for both leaf and root/rhizome extracts.
- Lemna minor frond number was significantly reduced (to 34% and 43% of control) by 25 ppt leaf and root/rhizome extracts, respectively.
- Lemna minor was killed by concentrations of 125 ppt and above.
- Frond number and chlorophyll content in Lemna minor were highly correlated.
- Osmotic potential and pH of the extracts did not explain the observed growth inhibition.
Conclusions:
- Nuphar lutea exhibits strong allelopathic properties, significantly inhibiting the growth of both terrestrial (lettuce) and aquatic (Lemna minor) test species.
- The inhibitory effects are concentration-dependent and observed in both leaf and root/rhizome extracts.
- Nuphar lutea is a considerably more potent inhibitor than 16 other aquatic plants previously examined, suggesting a significant ecological role in competitive interactions.
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