Bioherbicidal potential of essential oil from leaves of Eucalyptus tereticornis against Echinochloa crus - galli L.

Abstract

The present study was undertaken to explore the bioherbicidal potential of essential oil(EO)(25 to 250μg/ml) from Eucalyptus tereticornis against one of the major weed of rice (Oryza sativa L.), i.e. Echinochloa crus - galli L. considering percent germination, root length and shoot length development chlorophyll, protein and carbohydrate content and percent cellular respiration). Studies revealed that E. tereticornis EO suppressed the growth and affects the physiology of the test plant. For instance, 100 and 250 μg/mL oil affects seed germination and seedling development of test weed. The chlorophyll content of the E. crus-galli seedlings decreased by 80% at 250 μg/mL treatment of EO. Similarly, reduction in respiratory activity on exposure to 250 μg/mL of EO was 60%. The effect of EO on macromolecules, i.e. carbohydrates and proteins also followed the similar trend. The present study concludes that EO of E. tereticornis shows toxicity towards E. crus-galli and has potential to be used as bioherbicide.