Differential Effects of Exogenous Resveratrol on the Growth and Energy Metabolism of and the Weed .

An increase in crop competitiveness relative to weed interference has the potential to reduce crop yield losses. In this study, the effects of phytoalexin resveratrol were examined in L. (corn) and in the weed species (Dammer) O'Donell (morning glory). At a concentration range from 220 to 2200 μM resveratrol exerted a stimulus on seedling growth that was more pronounced at low concentrations; in the weed species , resveratrol exerted inhibitory action on seedling growth in all of the assayed concentration range. In , resveratrol also inhibited the respiratory activity of the primary roots. In mitochondria isolated from roots, resveratrol at concentrations above 440 μM inhibited the respiration coupled to ADP phosphorylation and the activities of NADH-oxidase, succinate-oxidase, and ATPsynthase. These effects were not reproduced in grown in the presence of resveratrol as the respiratory activities of the roots were not affected. The finding that the resveratrol exerts beneficial effects on growth of seedlings and inhibits the growth of heightens the potential of resveratrol application for crop protection.