Inhibition of Velvetleaf (Abutilon theophrasti) Germination and Growth by Benzyl Isothiocyanate, a Natural Toxicant

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Abstract
Benzyl isothiocyanate (BITC) was extracted from mature papaya (Carica papayaL.) seeds and applied to imbibed velvetleaf (Abutilon theophrastiMedic. ♯3ABUTH) seeds. Complete inhibition of germination occurred at a concentration of 6 × 10-4M BITC, and only 28% (compared to controls) of the seeds germinated after 4 days exposure to the 4 × 10-4M treatment. Corn (Zea maysL. ‘DeKalb XL-66′) was unaffected even at higher concentrations; however, 72% of imbibed soybeans [Glycine max(L.) Merr. ‘Tiger’] germinated in 6 × 10-4M BITC. When this natural inhibitor was applied to etiolated velvetleaf seedlings at 4 × 10-4M, 100% died in 2 days.