Allelopathic potential of Datura stramonium L. (Thorn‐apple)

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Abstract
Summary: The effects of different concentrations of aqueous leachate of Datura stramonium seeds and leaves on germination and radicle elongation of Linum usitatissimum were examined.Germination and radicle elongation of L. usitatissimum were depressed at high leachate concentrations. Radicle elongation usually appeared more sensitive to the effects of the leachate than did germination. Preliminary investigations showed that D. stramonium leaf leachate had similar effects to those of seed leachate.Chemical analysis of the leachates by spot‐tests and by high‐voltage electrophoresis indicated the presence of tropane alkaloids, in particular scopolamine. The presence of both scopolamine and hyoscyamine was confirmed by gas chromatography/mass spectrometry. It was shown that varying concentrations of pure scopolamine and scopolamine plus hyoscyamine solutions had effects similar to those of seed and leaf leachates on germination and radicle elongation of L. usitatissimum.