Phytotoxicity of xanthotoxin on two weeds, Trifolium and Alfalfa

Abstract

Furanocoumarin xanthotoxin is from the phenylpropanoids group, which is actually a type of ketone that was first extracted from the fruit of the Fagoraxanthoxyloides plant. This compound is found In Rutacaec, and Apiacaec, including bergamot and wild carrot extracts. The drug for skin diseases such as leprosy is used under the name psoralen and psoralen. In this study, the effect of xanthotoxin herbicide on the seeds of Trifolium and Alfalfa was investigated. The physiological parameters evaluated include seed germination, as well as stem and root growth of these seeds. First, the mentioned compound was dissolved, and then different concentrations including 0.001, 0.01, 0.1, and 1 mg/ml were prepared by diluting it in distilled water. Also, a sample containing distilled water was considered as a control. The desired treatments were done in three repetitions and every three repetitions included 11 seeds in sterile Petri dishes lined with Whatman paper and the Petri dishes were placed in an incubator at a temperature of 21 degrees Celsius. The results showed that xanthotoxin in all treated concentrations That is, 0.001 mg/ml and above has a negative effect on the germination, root and stem the growth of these seeds, and at a concentration of 1 mg/ml, it completely prevents the germination of Trifolium and Alfalfa seeds.The ultimate goal of these studies is to find natural herbicides to replace them with artificial ones that have many harmful effects on the environment.