Abstract
Four major chemotypes ofCyperus rotundus L. (purple nutsedge) have been reported based on the composition of essential oils in mature tubers. Distribution of the H, M, K, and O type in countries of the Pacific Rim and Basin was investigated. In general, the H type dominates on the islands of Japan, and the O type has the widest range of distribution. The O type also dominates the Pacific Basin islands except for Hawaii, where the K-type is dominant. Inhibitory activity of the essential oils fromC. rotundus tubers against the seedling growth of lettuce and oats was in the order of H > M > K > O. Seven major sesquiterpenes were isolated from the oils and their inhibitory activities determined. Results suggest thatC. rotundus of different chemotypes may have different allelopathic activity in the crop-weed interaction.
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On leave from the Department of Agricultural Biochemistry.
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Komai, K., Tang, CS. & Nishimoto, R.K. Chemotypes ofCyperus rotundus in Pacific Rim and Basin: Distribution and inhibitory activities of their essential oils. Journal of Chemical Ecology 17, 1–8 (1991). https://doi.org/10.1007/BF00994417
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DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/BF00994417