Work

Hydroxychalcones as Herbicides

Year: 2025

Type: article

Abstract: Efforts to develop weed management alternatives are urgently required due to various challenges, such as declining crop yields, rising production costs, and the growing prevalence of herbicide-resistant weed species. Chalcones occur in nature and have phytotoxic potential and concise synthesis; additionally, they are multifunctional, with diverse biomolecular targets and a broad spectrum of biological activities. This study sought to assess the herbicidal potential of 3?-hydroxychalcones against weed species under laboratory conditions. Their effects were investigated using germination bioassays, early growth measurements, and the seedling vigor index, all prepared with a concentration of 1 × 10?3 mol L?1 3?-hydroxychalcones. 3?-Hydroxy-4-pyridyl-chalcone caused the greatest inhibition (81%) of the seedling length in Urochloa decumbens. Other 3?-hydroxychalcones also caused large initial growth reductions, such as 3?-hydroxy-4-pyridyl-chalcone (75%) and 3?-hydroxy-4-nitrochalcone (68%) in Digitaria insularis and 3?-hydroxy-4-bromochalcone (73%) in Raphanus raphanistrum. The greatest reduction in the seedling vigor index was 81% in D. insularis treated with the 3?-hydroxy-4-bromochalcone. The same 3?-hydroxychalcone caused an 80% reduction in Amaranthus viridis. In conclusion, 3?-hydroxychalcones exhibit herbicidal activity, suggesting they could serve as a solution for future weed management strategies.

Source: Agronomy

DOI: 10.3390/agronomy15030572

Authors: Raphael Garrido, Franck Dayan, Patrick Ozanique, Luis Regasini, Rosana Kolb

Institutions: Universidade Estadual Paulista (Unesp), Colorado State University, Instituto de Biociências, Letras e Ciências Exatas, câmpus de São José do Rio Preto

Language: English

Topic: Weed Control and Herbicide Applications

Subfield: Plant Science

Field: Agricultural and Biological Sciences

Domain: Life Sciences

SDG: Zero hunger

Open Access status: gold

Estimated APC paid: $3,137