Herbicidal potential of the essential oil of Callistemon Viminalis against some weeds

Abstract

Weeds cause undesirable changes in the plant communities by interfering with the growth and development of crops and thus affecting their quality and yield. Among all the plant pests studied, weeds cause maximum loss to the crops (Oerke, 2006). Their control has been a challenge for the farmers and land managers. Chemical weed control using synthetic herbicides is the most common way of controlling weeds. However, the indiscriminate use of synthetic herbicides for this purpose has not only deteriorated the environment and human health, but has also accelerated the development of weed biotypes resistant to herbicides. Therefore, greater emphasis is laid on the use of benign chemicals such as natural plant products for managing weeds in order to sustain continued crop yield and healthy environment (Dayan and Duke, 2014). These natural compounds are not only biodegradable nature but also possess structural and chemical diversity (Singh et al., 2003; Dayan et al., 2009; Duke and Dayan, 2015). Among natural plant products, essential oils have gained much importance owing to their lesser toxicity in the environment and greater phytotoxicty. In the present paper, herbicidal potential of Callistemon viminalis ??? an aromatic tree commonly grown in the gardens, parks and road sides was explored. The effect of the oil was studied on the two selected weeds - Echinochloa Crus-galli and Cassia Occidentalis found in agricultural and wastelands, respectively.