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Phytotoxicity of Antofine from Invasive Swallow-Worts

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Abstract

Pale swallow-wort (Vincetoxicum rossicum) and black swallow-wort (V. nigrum) are two emerging invasive plant species in the northeastern United States and southeastern Canada that have shown rapid population expansion over the past 20 years. Using bioassay-guided fractionation, the known phytochemical phenanthroindolizidine alkaloid, (−)-antofine, was identified as a potent phytotoxin in roots, leaves, and seeds of both swallow-wort species. In seedling bioassays, (−)-antofine, at μM concentrations, resulted in greatly reduced root growth of Asclepias tuberosa, A. syriaca, and Apocynum cannabinum, three related, native plant species typically found in habitats where large stands of swallow-wort are present. In contrast, antofine exhibited moderate activity against lettuce, and it had little effect on germination and root growth of either black or pale swallow-wort. In disk diffusion assays, antifungal activity was observed at 10 μg and 100 μg, while antibacterial activity was seen only at the higher level. Although both swallow-wort species display multiple growth and reproductive characteristics that may play an important role in their invasiveness, the presence of the highly bioactive phytochemical (−)-antofine in root and seed tissues indicates a potential allelopathic role in swallow-worts’ invasiveness.

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Acknowledgments

We gratefully acknowledge the technical assistance of Richard Vaughan for portions of this study. Mention of a trademark, proprietary product, or vendor does not constitute a guarantee or warranty of the product by the U.S. Department of Agriculture and does not imply its approval to the exclusion of other products or vendor that may also be suitable.

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  1. USDA, Agricultural Research Service, Biological Integrated Pest Management Research Unit, Robert W. Holley Center for Agriculture and Health, Tower Road, Ithaca, NY, 14853, USA

    Donna M. Gibson, Stuart B. Krasnoff, Jeromy Biazzo & Lindsey Milbrath

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Correspondence to Donna M. Gibson.

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Gibson, D.M., Krasnoff, S.B., Biazzo, J. et al. Phytotoxicity of Antofine from Invasive Swallow-Worts. J Chem Ecol 37, 871–879 (2011). https://doi.org/10.1007/s10886-011-9994-4

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