Allelopathic potential of Ipomoea tricolor (Convolvulaceae) in a greenhouse experiment

Abstract

The allelopathic potential of Ipomoea tricolor , a plant used in Mexican agriculture to control weeds, and tricolorin A, the major phytogrowth inhibitor present in the so-called “resin glycosides” of this plant, have been evaluated by testing leachates of the plant and the compound on the germination and radicle growth of Amaranthus hypochondriacus, Echinochloa crusgalli, Senna uniflora, I. tricolor , and I. purpurea . The allelopathic potential of I. tricolor was evaluated in a greenhouse experiment with dry I. tricolor mixed with sterile and nonsterile soil in pots. A. hypochondriacus was sown in pots containing I. tricolor , 2-chloro-4-(ethylamino)-6-(isopropylamino)-1,3,5 triazine (Gesaprim) or 1-glyphosphate, and the glyphosphate salt of isopropylamine (Faena), two different commercial herbicides used as a comparison to I. tricolor . Number and dry weights of different monocotyledonous and dicotyledonous weeds and A. hypochondriacus growing in the different treatments were measured. Ipomoea and Faena herbicide had a similar inhibitory effect on monocots.