Essential oils in the field: The next generation of bioherbicides for sustainable weed management, environmental safety, and agroecological resilience

The overreliance on synthetic herbicides in modern agriculture has led to widespread environmental and health concerns, including the emergence of herbicide-resistant weed species and contamination of ecosystems. These issues have prompted the search for sustainable and eco-friendly alternatives for weed management. Essential oil (EO) based bioherbicides, derived from aromatic plants, offer a promising solution due to their natural origin, biodegradability, and phytotoxic activity. Rich in bioactive compounds such as terpenes, phenolics, and aldehydes, EOs act through multiple mechanisms, including disruption of cell membranes, inhibition of photosynthesis and enzymatic activity, induction of oxidative stress, and alteration of hormonal pathways in weeds. Their efficacy has been established against a number of weed species in both lab and field settings. Compared with conventional herbicides, EOs generally exhibit lower environmental persistence and reduced long-term risks to many non-target organisms owing to their rapid biodegradation. However, challenges such as variability in chemical composition, formulation instability, inconsistent field performance, crop selectivity, and economic feasibility must be addressed before their widespread adoption. This paper provides a complete overview of EOs' potential as bioherbicides, including mechanisms of action, efficacy, application methods, and current commercial products. It emphasizes the critical role these natural compounds can play in integrated weed management systems and in advancing the sustainability of agroecosystems.