Bioactivity of Ailanthus altissima (Mill.) Swingle Extracts on Wheat Germination and Rice Weevil Survival

Invasive plant species are increasingly recognized not only as ecological threats but also as potential sources of bioactive compounds with agricultural applications. However, the combined allelopathic and insecticidal potential of Ailanthus altissima's different plant parts remains insufficiently explored. This study evaluated the bioactivity of different plant part (leaf, bark, and branch) extracts of A. altissima. Secondary metabolites were characterized by HPLC-DAD-MS, while ethanol extracts (0.5-5%) were tested on wheat (Triticum aestivum) seed germination, seedling growth, oxidative status, and on the survival and repellency of the rice weevil (Sitophilus oryzae). Biological responses were strongly plant part and concentration-dependent. Leaf extracts contained the highest phenolic levels, dominated by caffeoylquinic acids and quercetin derivatives, whereas bark and branch extracts showed lower but compositionally distinct profiles. Despite this, bark and branch extracts produced the strongest biological effects, inhibiting germination energy and root growth at higher concentrations, while leaf extracts stimulated seedling performance, including increased vigor index, while in insect bioassays, bark and branch extracts caused higher mortality and stronger suppression of rice weevil populations. This study provides new evidence that biomass extracts of the invasive species A. altissima represent a promising source of biologically active compounds with both allelopathic and insecticidal properties, highlighting its potential valorization as a plant-based biopesticide for sustainable pest management.