Phytotoxicity of volatile oil from Eucalyptus citriodora against some weedy species

N. Setia¹, D. R. Batish*¹, H.P. Singh² and R. K. Kohli²

¹Department of Botany, Panjab University, Chandigarh-160 014, India

²Centre for Environment and Vocational Studies, Department of Botany, Panjab University, Chandigarh-160 014, India

(Received: 24 March, 2005 ; Revised received: September 25, 2005; Accepted: 10 October, 2005)

Abstract: A study was undertaken to explore the phytotoxicity of volatile essential oil from Eucalyptus citriodora Hook. against some weeds viz. Bidens pilosa, Amaranthus viridis, Rumex nepalensis, and Leucaena leucocephala in order to assess its herbicidal activity. Dose-response studies conducted under laboratory conditions revealed that eucalypt oils (in concentration ranging from 0.0012 to 0.06 %) greatly suppress the germination and seedling height of test weeds. At 0.06 % eucalypt oil concentration, none of the seed of test weeds germinated. Among the weed species tested, A. viridis was found to be the most sensitive and its germination was completed inhibited even at 0.03%. Not only the germination and seedling growth, even the chlorophyll content and respiratory activity in leaves of emerged seedlings were severely affected. In A. viridis chlorophyll content and respiratory activity were reduced by over 51% and 71%, respectively, even at a very low concentration of 0.06%. These results indicated an adverse effect of eucalypt oils on the photosynthetic and energy metabolism of the test weeds. A strong negative correlation was observed between the observed effect and the concentration of eucalypt oil. Based on the study, it can be concluded that oil from E. citriodora possess strong inhibitory potential against weeds that could be exploited for weed management.

Key words: Bioherbicides, Chlorophyll content, Dose-response studies, Respiratory activity, Seedling growth, Weed management

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