Phytotoxic activity and chemical composition of aqueous foliar extracts of Cerrado species

Abstract This study aimed to evaluate the phytotoxic activity of aqueous extracts of species from the Cerrado of Mato Grosso on the germination and initial development of lettuce seedlings, as well as to determine the chemical composition of the extracts. The species studied were: Davilla elliptica, Combretum laxum, Himatanthus obovatus, Diteryx alata, Curatella americana, Qualea grandiflora, Aspidosperma macrocarpon, Caryocar brasiliense, Pleroma candolleanum and Miconia albicans. Fourier Transform Infrared Spectroscopy (FTIR) and Thin Layer Chromatography (TLC) techniques were used to identify functional groups and chemical compounds. The extracts of the species D. elliptica, C. laxum, C. brasiliense and Q. grandiflora showed greater phytotoxic activity on the germination of lettuce seeds which varied between 96 and 17%. The presence of compounds such as: phenols, alkaloids, flavonoids and terpenes with phytotoxic properties was confirmed.