Abstract:
Roots of crop species produce exudates with biologically active chemicals which are known to affect the growth of crops and weed species. An experiment was conducted at the Uganda National Crop Resources Research Institute, Namulonge during 2016 to identify compounds released in root exudates of potted Cymbopogon nardus, Desmodium uncinatum, upland rice (NERICA 1), Mucuna pruriens and Zea mays (LONGE 6H) at forty-five days after planting. This marked near the average stationary phase for test crop growth when secondary metabolite levels were high. Organic compounds in soils were extracted using solid-phase micro-extraction (SPME) and by solvent extraction. Samples were subjected to analysis using a 7890A Gas Chromatography system. Data files were
transferred into a distinct folder and data was uploaded onto the XCMS online
platform for pairwise comparison and other related statistical analyses in the
National Institute of Science and Technology Library. The blank soil produced 15
terpenoids, two alcohols and one each of trihalomethanes, ethers, phenols, ketones,
furans, alkanes and aldehydes. Cymbopogon exuded five terpenoids, one phenol
and an alkane. Desmodium plant roots released three terpenoids, one alkane and a
phenol. The rice crop produced eight terpenoids, two alkanes and a furan. Five
terpenoids, one phenol and an alkane were released by the mucuna crop, while six
terpenoids were found in maize soil. The profiled compounds from cymbopogon,
desmodium, rice, mucuna and maize could be responsible for allelopathic
properties expressed by the study crops in natural and agricultural ecosystems and
could be used in synthesis and development of herbicides.
