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Phytotoxic properties of nordihydroguaiaretic acid, a lignan fromLarrea tridentata (Creosote bush)

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Abstract

The phytotoxic properties of nordihydroguaiaretic acid (NDGA) isolated from creosote bush,Larrea tridentata (Zygophyllaceae), were examined. NDGA dramatically reduces the seedling root growth of barnyard grass, green foxtail, perennial ryegrass, annual ryegrass, red millet, lambsquarter, lettuce, and alfalfa, and reduces the hypocotyl growth of lettuce and green foxtail. It has no effect on the germination of lettuce seeds. NDGA almost certainly contributes to the observed allelopathic nature of creosote bush.

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Work performed during sabbatical year leave at Western Regional Research Center.

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Elakovich, S.D., Stevens, K.L. Phytotoxic properties of nordihydroguaiaretic acid, a lignan fromLarrea tridentata (Creosote bush). J Chem Ecol 11, 27–33 (1985). https://doi.org/10.1007/BF00987601

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  • DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/BF00987601

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