The objective of this paper was to isolate, identify and characterize the allelopathic activity of chemical compounds produced by Parkia pendula. The allelopathic effects were evaluated on seed germination and radicle elongation of the weeds Mimosa pudica and Senna obtusifolia. The isolation process of the compounds involved the use of solvent in an increasing polarity order for extraction and the structural elucidation was carried out by Nuclear Magnetic Resonance, COPSY's and HETCOR's spectrum. The bioassays were carried out under controlled conditions of 25 ºC of temperature and 12-hour photoperiod for seed germination and 24-hour photoperiod for radicle elongation. The following allelochemicals were isolated and identified in P. pendula's leaves: 3,4,5-trimethoxybenzoic acid (S1), 3,4-dimethoxybenzoic acid (S2) and Blumenol A (S3). Comparatively, S1 and S2 showed greater allelopathic activity. The effects on radicle elongation were greater than those observed on seed germination. The isolated substances showed low inhibition potential on seed germination, especially on S. obtusifolia seeds. The allopathic inhibition effects were positively related to the concentration of the substances, although in some cases, these effects have not corresponded to the statistical differences.
allelochemical; inhibition; germination; radicle; seeds
