SCREENING OF NONANAL AND RELATED VOLATILE FLAVOR COMPOUNDS ON THE GERMINATION OF 18 SPECIES OF WEED SEED

Eighteen species of weed seed were tested in light and dark for germination responses to 28 volatile compounds that have been shown previously to stimulate fungal spore germination. Most of these chemicals occur naturally as components of flavors and fragrances. Seeds of curly dock (Rumex crispus) and red sorrel (Rumex acetosella) were stimulated by nonanenitrile, octyl thiocyanate, 2-nonanol, 2-nonanone, and other compounds. Inhibitionwas the most common response observed and was expressed by two or more compounds on nine species. Formative effects such as inhibition of radicle, swelling of radicle, swelling and splitting of seed, and production of exudate were observed. The swelling of smartweed seed, forming a turgid spherical body, induced by nonanal and other aldehydes, and the excretion of a gel, induced by citral and related compounds in morningglory, were particularly noteworthy. © 1979, American Chemical Society. All rights reserved.