Vegetos
(An International Journal of Plant Research & Biotechnology)
Chemical composition and herbicidal activity of essential oil from flowering shoots of Mesosphaerum suaveolens (L.) Kuntze against five weeds
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Research Articles | Published: 11 September, 2025
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Keywords: Essential oil, n Mesosphaerum suaveolensn , Germination, Inhibitory effect, Weed-suppressing activity, Green pesticides
Abstract
Essential oils are considered “green pesticides” for controlling weeds due to their eco-friendly nature and phytotoxic potential. The Lamiaceae family, known for being highly aromatic and rich in essential oils, is a popular choice for exploring herbicidal potential. In this study, we analyzed the chemical constituents of the essential oil extracted from flowering shoots of Mesosphaerum suaveolens, and evaluated its herbicidal potential against some weeds (i.e., Parthenium hysterophorus, Bidens pilosa, Amaranthus viridis, Phalaris minor, and Cyperus rotundus). The hydro-distilled essential oil obtained from the flowering shoots of M. suaveolens was analysed by Gas Chromatography-Mass Spectrometry (GC-MS). The GC-MS analysis showed that the oil contains a mixture of monoterpenes (52%), sesquiterpenes (32.7%), and diterpenes (11.7%). The main chemical constituents found were sabinene (17.2%), β-caryophyllene (14.4%), and limonene (7.8%). Laboratory bioassay studies demonstrated that the M. suaveolens oil treatment (0.5 to 2.5 mg mL− 1) significantly reduced the seed germination percentage, seedling length, and biomass of all the selected weeds dose-dependently. Among the tested weeds, the essential oil treatment (at 1.5 mg mL− 1) showed maximum complete inhibitory effect on germination of P. hysterophorus indicating it is the most sensitive weed. In contrast, at the same concentration, there was minimal effect on B. pilosa, making it the most resistant species tested. The study concluded that the chemical constituents in M. suaveolens oil possess weed-suppressing activity and could be used as an eco-friendly alternative for weed management practices.
Graphical abstract
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Author Information
Department of Botany, Panjab University, Chandigarh, India