Effect of Essential Oils and Hydrosols from Some Selected Lamiaceae Species on Redroot Pigweed (Amaranthus retroflexus L.)

Abstract

Allelopathy refers to chemical effect of a plant direct or indirect on germination, growth or development of neighboring plants. Allelopathy can be considered as a component of biological control that reduces the development of other plants. This study was carried out to determine the effect of Greek sage (Salvia fruticosa Miller), basil (Ocimum basilicum L.), Dragonhead (Dracocephalum moldavica L.), spearmint (Menta spicata L.), sage (Salvia officinalis L.), lemon balm (Melissa officinalis L.), oregano (Origanum onites L.) and thyme (Thymus kotschyanus Boiss.) on the germination of redroot pigweed (Amaranthus retroflexus L.) which causes significant yield loss in agricultural production. Essential oil (9, 18, 36 μL/petri) and hydrosols (50, 75, 100%) of aromatic plants were applied to determine their inhibition effects on seed germination of A. retroflexus. The experimental design for in vitro was a randomized design with five replications. It has been shown that germination rate was decreasing by the increased concentration of essential oil and hydrosols of the tested plant species. Also, total germination inhibition of A. retroflexus depended on the essential oil doses; the rate ranged from-2.9 to 85%. Amongst the essential oils, the highest effect was observed in spearmint with 7% germination rate. It could be considered as an important solution, which would contribute in Integrated Weed Management of A. retroflexus by using different concentrations of essential oil and hydrosols from aromatic plants.