Phytotoxic properties of Drosophyllum lusitanicum leaf extracts and its main compound plumbagin

The aim of this work was to evaluate the phytotoxic properties of aqueous and hexane extracts from the insectivorous plant Drosophyllum lusitanicum (L.) Link using lettuce and bread wheat as model species. The results obtained confirmed that both germination and seedling growth bioassays were sensitive and able to detect the heterotoxicity potential of D. lusitanicum extracts. Aqueous and hexane extracts at several concentrations significantly inhibited the seed germination of lettuce and wheat, although wheat was less sensitive. The inhibitory effects of plumbagin, the major compound found in D. lusitanicum hexane extracts, were also evaluated. Comparing the results of the assays obtained with extracts and plumbagin it was postulated that plumbagin is the principal compound responsible for the phytotoxic effects of the extracts on lettuce but not on wheat. Therefore, although the phytotoxic potential of D. lusitanicum was demonstrated, further studies are needed to clearly specify the compounds responsible for the inhibitory effects and to ensure if the results obtained with themodel species are reproducible to weed species in field conditions.Sandra Gonçalves acknowledges a grant from Fundação para a Ciência e a Tecnologia Grant SFRH/BPD/31534/2006)