Abstract
Echinacea is a perennial plant that is used for its phytotherapeutic potential. Echinacea crops are often affected by invasive weeds. One of the most effective strategies in weed control is the use of chemicals such as herbicides. However, herbicides also affect the physiological and morphological processes of Echinacea. For this reason, the aim of this study was to determine the effects of different dosages (0, 250, 500, 750, 1000, and 1250 g ha−1) of the postemergent herbicide metribuzin on some morphological and physiological characteristics of Echinacea purpurea and Echinacea angustifolia collected from different locations in Iran (E. purpurea from the Shiraz and Isfahan regions and E. angustifolia from the Ardestan and Kazerun regions). Application of metribuzin decreased leaf dry weight for both Echinacea species at high doses (750 and 1250 g ha−1). At high metribuzin dose (1250 g ha−1), E. purpurea Shiraz leaves showed an increase in MDA (malondialdehyde) up to 9.14, while in other species the MDA content was lower. Minimum and maximum fluorescence increased at both the registered dosage (500 g ha−1) and at high doses (750–1250 g ha−1) of metribuzin treatments in both species. The Fv/Fm (maximum quantum yield) value was reduced in herbicide treated species, compared to the control, starting at the 250 g ha−1 dose, and was lowest at 750 g ha−1 dose. The results of this study indicate that metribuzin has adverse effects on the physiology and morphology of Echinacea species at dosages above 500 g ha−1.
Highlights
Echinacea is a perennial plant of the Asteraceae family found naturally in parts of NorthAmerica [1]
The aim of the present study was (i) to evaluate the morphological and physiological responses of Echinacea species to metribuzin treatment and (ii) to establish the maximum dose of metribuzin tolerated by E. purpurea and E. angustifolia
The analysis of variance revealed a significant effect of metribuzin dose on all measured traits
Summary
Echinacea is a perennial plant of the Asteraceae family found naturally in parts of NorthAmerica [1]. Three species of Echinacea, E. pallida (Nutt) Nutt, E. purpurea (L.) Moench, and E. angustifolia (DC) Hell, are used for their medicinal aspects [2]. Relatively little is known on the effects of plantation management on the physiological aspects and yield of Echinacea [6]. One of the primary aspects of management that is least addressed is weed control, in newly established crops [7,8,9,10,11,12]. Use of herbicides for weed control in medicinal plants has been reported [14]. Pre-planting and post-planting application of oxadiazon- (dichlorobenzenes group) and oxyfluorfen- (ether group) based herbicides on Origanum syriacum L. indicates both molecules to be effective in controlling weeds in this species [14].
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