Research Information System
Romanian Biotechnological Letters, vol.26, no.2, pp.2471-2475, 2021 (SCI-Expanded)
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.