Abstract
In the present study the bioherbicidal activity of essential oils hydrodistilled from Nepeta glocephalata Rech.f and N. ispahanica Boiss were investigated on four weed species (barnyard grass (Echinochloa crus-galli (L.) Beauv), redroot pigweed (Amaranthus retroflexus L.), lambsquarters (Chenopodium album L.) and canary grass (Phalaris canariensis L.)). A total of 37 components were identified from the essential oils of N. glocephalata and N. ispahanica constituting approximately 98.61 % and 96.1 % of the oils, respectively. In laboratory bioassay different concentrations (0, 1, 2, 4 and 8 μl ml-1) of two Nepeta essential oils on germination, root and shoot length were studied. Results showed by increasing the concentration of oils, all studied traits of the weeds were decreased compared with control. In a glass house bioassay post-emergence application of Nepeta essential oils (1.25 %, 2.5 %, 5 % and 10 %, v/v) on 3-week-old weed plants caused visible injury (7-days after spray) ranging from chlorosis to necrosis of plant weeds. In foliar application under glasshouse conditions, both Nepeta essential oils reduced the seedling dry mass and concentrations of chlorophyll a chlorophyll b. The study concludes that Nepeta essential oils have phytotoxic effects and could be used as bioherbicides but the selectivity of these compounds should be considered also.
Highlights
Herbicide-resistant weeds and environmental concerns have led researchers to consider using alternative ways to manage weeds (Vyvyan, 2002; Ashraf et al, 2017)
The aim of the present study was to study the essential oil composition of N. glocephalata and N. ispahanica in order to know if these compositions have phytotoxic effects on germination, seedling growth injury and photosynthesis of barnyard grass (Echinochloa crus-galli (L.) Beauv), a most important weed in rice (Oryza sativa L.), redroot pigweed (Amaranthus retroflexus L.) and lambsquarters (Chenopodium album L.), annual plants seriously influencing summer crops and canary grass (Phalaris canariensis L.), serious weed of wheat (Triticum aestivum L.) fields in Iran
Total of 35 compounds were identified in N. ispahanica and N. glocephalata essential oils by GC/MS analysis
Summary
Herbicide-resistant weeds and environmental concerns have led researchers to consider using alternative ways to manage weeds (Vyvyan, 2002; Ashraf et al, 2017). The allelopathic activities of some essential oils and their monoterpenes on seeds germination or seedling growth at several species have been shown in previous studies (Dudai et al, 1999; Abrahim et al, 2000; Tworkoski, 2002; Singh et al, 2004; Dudai et al, 2004; Armirante et al, 2006; Kordali et al, 2006; Kordali et al, 2007). Allelopathic properties of essential oils from different aromatic plants belonging to Lamiaceae, Compositae, Myrtaceae, Cupressaceae, Rutaceae and Verbenaceae families have been reported (Dudai et al, 1999; Angelini et al, 2003; Kaur et al, 2010; Amri et al, 2013 ; Verdeguer et al, 2011). Allelopathic potential of the essential oil of many plants from family Lamiaceae such as Salvia apiana Jeps. and Salvia leucophylla Greene (Muller et al, 1964), Satureja hortensis L. and Thymus vulgaris L. (Tworkoski 2002), Rosmarinus officinalis L., Satureja montana L. (Angelini et al, 2003), Lavandula spp. and peppermint (Mentha × piperita ‘Mitcham’) (Campiglia et al, 2007; Mahdavikia and Saharkhiz, 2015), Zataria multiflora Boiss and its different chemotypes (Saharkhiz et al, 2010), Satureja khuzestanica Jamzad, Satureja bachtiarica Bunge, Satureja rechingeri Jamzad and Satureja spicigera (K.Koch) Boiss. (Taban et al, 2013) have been previously reported
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