Effect of Methyl-3-methyl-5-oxo-5-substituted-2-pentenoates on Germination and Seedling Growth of Wheat

A number of methyl-3-methyl-5-oxo-5-substituted-2-pentenoates have been synthesized from methyl-3-methyl-2-butenoate by Friedel-Craft acylation with various acyl chlorides. Their structures have been confirmed using IR and ¹H-NMR spectroscopy. These compounds showed plant growth regulatory activity by inhibiting the growth of radical when tested against wheat seed. The minimum germination (15.1%) has been exhibited by methyl-3-methyl-5-oxo-5-chloromethyl-2-pentenoate. Depending upon the chemical structure, they slightly inhibited or strongly promoted the growth of seedlings. The vigour index and the percent phytotoxicity were also calculated. The vigour index showed that these compounds inhibited the growth of wheat seedlings irrespective of concentrations used.