RT journal article
T1 Allelopathy of Bracken Fern (Pteridium arachnoideum): New Evidence from Green Fronds, Litter, and Soil
A1 Jatoba, Luciana de Jesus
A1 González Molinillo, José María
A1 Ud Din, Zia
A1 Juliano Gualtieri, Sonia Cristina
A1 Rodrigues-Filho, Edson
A1 Macías, Francisco Antonio
A1 Varela Montoya, Rosa María
A1 Macías Domínguez, Francisco Antonio
A2 Química Orgánica
K1 Pteridium arachnoideum
K1 Allelopathy
K1 Allelopathic Potential
K1 allelochemicals
AB The neotropical bracken fern Pteridium arachnoideum (Kaulf.) Maxon. (Dennstaedtiaceae) is described as an aggressive pioneer plant species. It invades abandoned or newly burned areas and represents a management challenge at these invaded sites. Native to the Atlantic Forest and Cerrado (Tropical Savanna) Brazilian biomes, P. arachnoideum has nevertheless become very problematic in these conservation hotspots. Despite some reports suggesting a possible role of allelopathy in this plant’s dominance, until now there has been little evidence of isolated and individually identified compounds with phytotoxic activities present in its tissues or in the surrounding environment. Thus, the aim of this study was to investigate the allelopathic potential of P. arachnoideum by isolating and identifying any secondary metabolites with phytotoxic activity in its tissues, litter, and soil. Bioguided phytochemical investigation led to the isolation and identification of the proanthocyanidin selligueain A as the major secondary compound in the green fronds and litter of this fern. It is produced by P. arachnoideum in its green fronds, remains unaltered during the senescence process, and is the major secondary compound present in litter. Selligueain A showed phytotoxic activity against the selected target species sesame (Sesamum indicum) early development. In particular, the compound inhibited root and stem growth, and root metaxylem cell size but did not affect chlorophyll content. This compound can be considered as an allelochemical because it is present in the soil under P. arachnoideum patches as one of the major compounds in the soil solution. This is the first report of the presence of selligueain A in any member of the Dennstaedtiaceae family and the first time an isolated and identified allelochemical produced by members of the Pteridium species complex has been described. This evidenceof selligueain A as a putative allelochemical of P. arachnoideum reinforces the role of allelopathy in the dominance processes of this plant in the areas where it occurs.
PB PLOS ONE
YR 2016
FD 2016-08
LK http://hdl.handle.net/10498/20326
UL http://hdl.handle.net/10498/20326
LA eng
DS Repositorio Institucional de la Universidad de Cádiz
RD 08-nov-2026