Abstrato

Pine Forest Bioactive Compounds Involved in the Formation of Sparse Understory Vegetation

Mila Davies

The understory vegetation of Pinus, the most widespread genus of the Pinaceae family in the northern hemisphere, is frequently scant. The intensity of sunlight on the pine forest floor, on the other hand, is sufficient for undergrowth. As a result, allelopathy is thought to have a role in the establishment of sparse understory vegetation. Over the years, the literature has amassed evidence indicating the allelopathy of various pine species. Several plant species, including undergrowth plant species in pine forests, were repressed by extracts of pine needle-like leaves, roots, litter, and soil under pine trees. Pine needles and roots, litter, and soil around pine trees have been found to contain a large number of secondary metabolites such as terpenoids, phenolics, cinnamic acids, carboxylic acids, fatty acids, and flavonoids. Some of these compounds are likely released into the soil through the breakdown of plant litter, as well as into the surrounding environment as volatiles, according to the data. The most active chemicals identified in pine soil were methyl 15-hydroxy-7-oxodehydroabietate and 7-oxodehydroabietic acid, both of which may be generated by the decomposition of resin acids, which were prevalent in pine trees. Bioactive molecules produced into the soil and surrounding environment may act as allelochemicals, preventing understory plants from invading forests and resulting in the formation of sparse understory vegetation