Phenolic Antioxidant Protection in the Initial Growth of : Two Different Responses against Two Invasive Fabaceae.

The allelophatic effect of the invasive Fabaceae, and , on the production of phenolic compounds in seedlings was investigated. It was expected that the oxidative stress caused by the allelochemicals released by both invaders would induce a differential response in the production of phenolic compounds in seedlings. These antioxidant mechanisms guaranteed plants' survival, even to the detriment of their initial growth. seedlings were irrigated with (TE) and (UE) extracts and water as a control. After eight months, morphometric variables were evaluated, and leaves were collected for histochemical analysis. The methanol extracts from treatments and control leaves were used for anthocyanin, phenol, and antioxidant activity quantifications. Both invasive species induced an inhibitory effect on the morphometric variables. induced leaf damage and increased the anthocyanin content by 4.9-fold, but did not affect the phenol content. induces root damage and a decrease in phenol content, but does not affect the anthocyanin content. Both Fabaceae extracts affected the profile and polyphenol concentration and consequently decreased the antioxidant capacity of leaves at low extract concentrations. Phenols, lignin, and ROS accumulate on leaves, but the histochemical reactions were less intense under UE. Although develops different antioxidant protection mechanisms against stress induced by UE and TE, its survival is guaranteed, even to the detriment of its initial growth.