Allelochemicals in Wheat (Triticum aestivum L.): Production and Exudation of 2,4-Dihydroxy-7-methoxy-1,4-benzoxazin-3-one

An analytical technique employing gas chromatography and tandem mass spectrometry (GC/MS/MS) was employed to systematically screen fifty-eight wheat accessions for their differential production of 2,4-dihydroxy-7-methoxy-1,4-benzoxazin-3-one (DIMBOA) from three consecutive sources, i.e., the shoots, roots, and in the associated agar growth medium (collected as root exudates) of 17-day-old wheat seedlings. DIMBOA content differed significantly in the shoots, roots, or in the agar growth medium between accessions. DIMBOA accumulated differentially within the plant, with roots containing more DIMBOA than the shoots. Only 19% of accessions were able to exude DIMBOA from living roots into their growth medium, indicating the exudation of DIMBOA is accession-specific. DIMBOA level in root tissues is expected to be high when a high level of DIMBOA content is detected in the shoots. Wheat seedlings did not release detectable amounts of DIMBOA when the DIMBOA level was low in the root tissues. The valuable genetic material with high levels of DIMBOA in the shoots or roots identified in the present research could be used to breed for wheat cultivars with elevated allelopathic activity.