Allelopathic Investigations On Free Fatty Acids And Ester Components From The Rhizome Of Pteridium Aquilinum

Abstract

Allelopathic has a potential to attribute in competing, hindering of native vegetation and alters the ecosystem dynamics. Pteridium aquilinum, commonly known as eagle fern or bracken fern distributed and considered as invasive species globally, exhibits the strong allelopathic properties in rhizome along with the other parts which has significant role in ecological dominance. Our study aims to identify and investigate the allelochemicals and their effects on the other species. Methanol crude extraction showed the inhibitory effect on wheat germination subsequently fractionised using GC-MS analysis which resulted in fatty acids and FAME’S namely Pentadecanoic acid, 14-methyl - methyl ester, 11-Octadecenoic acid, methyl ester, 9-Octadecenoic acid, (Z)-methyl ester, 9-Octadecenoic acid, (E)-methyl ester, trans-13-Octadecenoic acid, methyl ester and 6-Octadecenoic acid, (Z)-methyl ester, cis-13-Octadecenoic acid, methyl ester, Tridecanoic acid, methyl ester, n-Hexadecanoic acid and Hexadecanoic acid, methyl ester, and Pentadecanoic acid, methyl ester and followed by the HPLC analysis highlighted the presence of secondary metabolite ptaquiloside, this combination of allelochemicals have a significant impact in inhibition of seed germination and early seedling growth ranging from -71667% to -100% (P< 0.0001). The results contribute in understanding the allelopathic impact of rhizome of Pteridium aquilinum and their role in suppressing the neighbouring vegetation, which offers valuable insights for the control and management of grassland ecosystem.