The increasing demand for sustainable weed management strategies that minimize environmental impact has driven growing interest in plant-derived essential oils as alternatives to synthetic herbicides. This study evaluated the chemical composition, environmental safety, and phytotoxic effects of essential oils (EOs) from Lippia alba Mill., Lippia sidoides Cham., and Ocimum gratissimum L. collected in Brazil. The gas chromatography–mass spectrometry (GC–MS) analysis identified several major constituents: eugenol in L. alba , thymol in L. sidoides , and linalool in O. gratissimum . Environmental toxicity, assessed using the Artemia salina lethality bioassay, indicated that L. alba was non toxic, while L. sidoides and O. gratissimum exhibited toxicity. Phytotoxicity tests were conducted at sub-lethal doses on two crops ( Hordeum vulgare L., Raphanus sativus L.) and two weeds ( Lolium multiflorum Lam., Sinapis arvensis L.), with evaluations of germination, radicle/hypocotyl elongation, and biomass. Biochemical analyses included measurements of total protein, α-amylase, and catalase activities in seedlings. L. alba selectively inhibited weed growth, reduced α-amylase activity, and modulated catalase activity. O. gratissimum was primarily active against L. multiflorum , while L. sidoides showed weaker phytotoxicity than the other two samples. Overall, L. alba emerges as a promising environmentally friendly bioherbicide, combining selective weed control with low environmental toxicity.
Francolino et al. (Mon,) studied this question.
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