Investigations on Phytotoxic and Antimicrobial Activities of an Invasive Weed and Characterization of Its Allelochemicals

Synedrella nodiflora (L.) Gaertn. (Asteraceae) a dominant invasive weed from Ganeshkhind area has
affected the phytodiversity of Pune University campus (M.S., India). Its leaf leachates inhibited seed
germination and seedling growth in test crops like tomato and brinjal at all the concentrations
indicating their phytotoxic nature. However maximum inhibition was recorded at higher concentrations
(17.5–20% of original stock solution). The allelopathic leaf leachates had also adversely influenced
the seedling physiology in both the vegetables. Hence to investigate its phytotoxic nature, isolation
and characterization of allelochemicals in it, was undertaken. Leaf samples of Synedrella showed the
presence of a ketone 3-(5-(1-(3-methylpentyloxy) propyl)-tetrahydro-2-oxofuran-3-yl)-dihydrofuran-
2(3H)-one.