Allelochemicals DBP and 2,4‐ DTBP impair germination physiology in Glehnia littoralis F. Schmidt ex Miq

BACKGROUND: Monocropping poses a significant challenge in the sustainable cultivation of many medicinal plants, including Glehnia littoralis F. Schmidt ex Miq. G. littoralis, known for its culinary and medicinal properties, faces cultivation challenges due to continuous cropping, largely because of autoallelopathy. Phenolic compounds, specifically dibutyl phthalate (DBP) and 2,4-di-tert-butylphenol (2,4-DTBP), from G. littoralis cropped soil, significantly inhibit its seed germination and growth. This study examines the effects of these compounds on seed germination, focusing on phenotypic changes, gene expression, and spatial metabolic profiles. This research investigates the impact of DBP and 2,4-DTBP on G. littoralis seed germination through phenotypic analysis, transcriptomic profiling of gene expression, and spatial metabolic profiling using metabolomics techniques. RESULTS: Results demonstrate significant inhibition of seed germination. Gene expression analysis indicates disrupted plant hormone signal pathways, which impede normal seed development. Metabolic profiling reveals impaired metabolic processes, altered hormone levels, and abnormal amino acid accumulation, contributing to germination inhibition. CONCLUSION: This study provides insights into identifying genes conferring resistance to allelopathic stress, offering potential solutions to mitigate continuous cropping issues in G. littoralis. © 2026 Society of Chemical Industry.