Rice seedlings release momilactone B into the environment

Since the growth inhibitor momilactone B was found recently in root exudates of rice (Oryza sativa L.), 3-day-old rice seedlings were transferred to hydroponic culture and the level of momilactone B released into the environment from the seedlings was measured. At day 15 after transfer, the level of momilactone B in the culture solution was 1.8 nmol per seedling compared with endogenous levels of 0.32 and 0.63 nmol per root and shoot, respectively, suggesting that rice seedlings actively releases momilactone B into the culture solution. This release must occur from the roots because only rice roots were immersed in the culture solution. Momilactone B inhibited the growth of ten cress (Lepidium sativum L.) seedlings at concentrations greater than 3 muM. Ten rice seedlings were incubated with ten cress seeds in a Petri dish containing 1 ml of medium, the medium contained 18 nmol of momilactone B, which came to 18 muM. This level of momilactone B was enough to reveal growth inhibition of the cress seedlings. Release level of momilactone B and its effectiveness as a growth inhibitor suggest that it may play an important role in rice allelopathy. (C) 2003 Elsevier Science Ltd. All rights reserved.