Phytotoxicity ofFour Isoflavanoid Compowzdsfrom
Azfazfa. Medicarpin, 4-methoxymedicarpin, sativan,
and 5'-methoxysativan (Fig. I) were extracted from
alfalfa foliage, purified, and identified by GC-MS and
IH-nmr (Miller et aI., 1988. 1989). The germination
of alfalfa and velvetIeaf was not inhibited by these
compounds in agar bioassay (Table 3). Miller et ai.
(1988) found medicarpin inhibited the seed germination
oflettuce (Lactuca sativa L.) and alfalfa by 59%
after 6 d on moistened filter paper.