Allelopathic Activity of Chemical Substances Isolated from Acacia mangium and Its Variations in Function of pH

The aim of this study was to isolate, identify and characterize the allelopathic activity of the substances produced by Acacia mangium and to determine the variations of this activity according to the pH variation of the solution. The allelopathic activity was evaluated in germination bioassays (at 25 degrees C and under 12-12 h light-dark cycle) and radicle and hypocotyl development (at 25 degrees C and under 24-24 h light-dark cycle) of the weed species malicia (Mimosa pudica) and mata-pasto (Senna obtusifolia). The influence of the pH (3.0 and 9.0) of the solution in the allelopathic activity of the substances on seed germination of the same species was evaluated. The triterpenoids Lupenone (3 oxolup-20(29)-ene) and Lupeol (3 beta-hydroxylup-20(29)-ene), obtained from fallen leaves of the donor plant, separately and in pair, showed low allelopathic effects on seed germination and hypocotyl growth, especially on the former, with effects showing values lower than 2%. The effects on radicle growth were higher than the other two, reaching values above 40%, especially inhibition promoted by the substance Lupenone. Separately, each substance showed higher effects than those observed when tested in pair, indicating the existence of antagonism. The pH of the solution influenced the allelopathic activity of the substances; for Lupenone, the effects were more intense at acidic pH, while for Lupeol, best results were observed under alkaline conditions, showing that this is an important factor to be considered in field works.