Phytotoxic Potential of Methyl 4-Hydroxyphenylacetate Against Ageratina adenophora (Spreng.): Mechanistic Insights and Implications for Sustainable Weed Management

Zhiyun Yang, Xiao Ding, Junbo Yang, Mehboob Hussain, Yanan Ruan, Xi Gao and Guoxing Wu ()
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Zhiyun Yang: College of Plant Protection, Yunnan Agricultural University, Kunming 650201, China
Xiao Ding: State Key Laboratory of Phytochemistry and Natural Medicines, Kunming Institute of Botany, University of Chinese Academy of Sciences, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Kunming 650201, China
Junbo Yang: Germplasm Bank of Wild Species, Kunming Institute of Botany, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Kunming 650201, China
Mehboob Hussain: College of Plant Protection, Yunnan Agricultural University, Kunming 650201, China
Yanan Ruan: College of Plant Protection, Yunnan Agricultural University, Kunming 650201, China
Xi Gao: College of Plant Protection, Yunnan Agricultural University, Kunming 650201, China
Guoxing Wu: College of Plant Protection, Yunnan Agricultural University, Kunming 650201, China

Agriculture, 2025, vol. 15, issue 8, 1-16

Abstract: Current management of Ageratina adenophora , a highly invasive weed, relies on synthetic herbicides with environmental and resistance risks, necessitating eco-friendly alternatives. This study evaluated seven phenyl derivatives for phytotoxic activity against A. adenophora via in vitro bioassays. Methyl 4-hydroxyphenylacetate exhibited potent herbicidal efficacy, achieving 100% mortality in 2-month-old seedlings at 30 mM, 3-month-old seedlings at 100 mM, and wild adult/6-month-old plants at 200 mM within 48 h. At 250 mM, the compound reduced CO 2 assimilation by 113.6% and stomatal conductance by 92.2%, indicating severe photosynthetic and transpirational disruption via oxidative stress-mediated chloroplast degradation and stomatal dysfunction. Hormonal profiling revealed significant declines in IAA-ASP, GA1, TZeatin, and TZR, alongside elevated ABA levels, while GA3 remained stable. These hormonal shifts likely drive stomatal closure and metabolic collapse, culminating in plant death. This study provides the first evidence of methyl 4-hydroxyphenylacetate’s dual-action phytotoxicity—targeting both stomatal regulation and hormonal balance—positioning it as a sustainable biocontrol agent for A. adenophora and potentially other invasive weeds.

Keywords: Ageratina adenophora; herbicide; methyl 4-hydroxyphenylacetate; phytotoxic potential (search for similar items in EconPapers)
JEL-codes: Q1 Q10 Q11 Q12 Q13 Q14 Q15 Q16 Q17 Q18 (search for similar items in EconPapers)
Date: 2025
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