Changes in antioxidant enzyme activity of sorghum under allelopathic properties of Achillea millefolium

Yarrow (Achillea millefolium L.) is a medicinal plant that has several properties. Chemical compounds of the plant residues can be used in weed management. In this study, allelopathic effects of yarrow shoots have been investigated. Sorghum seedlings were cultured in a hydroponic experiment and treated with three types of yarrow extract which were prepared by sonication-soaking in concentrations of 5% and 10% (w/v). After 30 days, the plants were collected and then protein content and antioxidant enzyme activities were assayed. The results of the study on the enzyme activity changes in sorghum seedlings which treated with different yarrow extracts showed that there was significant difference among average of the antioxidant enzyme activities (p> 0.05). Activities of peroxidase, catalase and superoxide dismutase in sorghum leaves under ethanolic extract treatment were significantly increased compared to the control. While the flower hexane extract, especially at a concentration of 5% induced the least rate of the enzyme activities. In the sorghum roots compared to the control, superoxide dismutase activity was increased by all treatments except flower hexane extracts. Peroxidase activity of root tissue was often close to the control and was obviously reduced under treatment by hexane extract (10%) and water extracts (5% and 10%). The significant increase in catalase activity was observed in the sorghum root after treatment by flower ethanolic extract and water extracts, respectively; and the lowest catalase activity was observed during treatment of flower hexane extract 5%. It seems that yarrow compounds in the hexane and ethanolic extracts, respectively, to suppress and stimulate the responses of antioxidant enzymes in sorghum.

Keywords:

Achillea millefolium L. , allelopaty , antioxidant enzyme , sorghum