SESQUITERPENOIDS FROM ACORUS-CALAMUS AS GERMINATION INHIBITORS

In the search for germination inhibitors from plant sources, the metha nol extract of Acori rhizoma (Acorus calamus) was shown to inhibit ger mination of lettuce seeds. From Acori rhizoma, eight new sesquiterpene s were isolated together with some known sesquiterpenes. These sesquit erpenoids have cadinane, acorane and eudesmane skeletons and their str uctures were elucidated from the spectral evidence. Some of the compou nds showed potent anti-germination activity. Copyright (C) 1996 Elsevi er Science Ltd