Herbicide-like effect of Lupinus alkaloids

To ascertain the antigermination effect of lupine alkaloids, sparteine, gramine, lupanine and lupinine, germination tests were performed with seeds of the following species pea (Pisum sativum L.), tomato (Lycopersicon sculentum Mill.), wheat (Triticum aestivum L.), lamb's-quarters (Chenopodium album L.), vetch (Vicia villosa Kunth), and winter wild oat (Avena sterilis L.). Crude alkaloid extract from Lupinus albus (L.) and L. hispanicus (Boiss et Reut) containing mainly lupanine and lupinine, respectively, were tested. The individual alkaloid effects of lupanine, lupinine, sparteine and gramine at different concentrations were also analyzed. The results indicated a particularly high antigermination effect for lupanine. A. sterilis showed the greatest sensitivity to alkaloids. Lupanine, sparteine and gramine also affect postgermination stages. The possible herbicide effect of Lupinus alkaloids is discussed. © 1994.