Evaluation of phytotoxic activity of blechum pyramidatum, a weed of panamanian coffee crops

The coffee production is a high-value activity for the economy of the Chiriqui province highlands, Republic of Panama, being of particular importance for the development of the rural communities, as well as for indigenous groups. Frequently, this activity is affected by several factors, including weeds, pests, climate change, among others. Weeds provoke great economic losses for coffee producers by interference with the growth and development of the coffee in the cultivated area. Because of Blechum pyramidatum significantly affects coffee plantations in Santa Clara, Chiriquí, this plant was selected to evaluate its in vitro phytotoxic effect. The results revealed that a B. pyramidatum organic extract did not possess significant phytotoxic effect, this finding allows us to propose that negative effects against coffee provoked by B. pyramidatum might be by competition for water and nutrients available in cultivation. Finally, we evaluated the effect on the modulation of alpha glucosidase function of primary fractions from this plant.