Allelopathic potential of essential oil of Nepeta rtanjansis

Abstract

We studied the allelopathic potential of Nepeta rtanjensis Diklic and Milojevic essential oil and pure alpha- and beta-pinene on seed germination of 4-crops (Lepidium sativum L., Lactuca sativa L. cv. 'May Queen', Lotus corniculatus L. cv. Bokor and Brassica napus L. cv. napus) and 3-weed species (Stellaria media (L.) Vill., Rumex crispus L. and Arabidopsis thaliana (L.) Heynh. ecotype Columbia). Nepetalactones are dominant compounds in essential oil of N. rtanjensis (88%), while alpha- and beta-pinene were present in low concentrations (3% and 0.4%, respectively). We found the species-specific and dose-dependent effects of essential oils and pure compounds on seed germination of test species. Among tested crops, L. sativa proved to be the most sensitive, while B. napus was most tolerant to both essential oil and pure monoterpenoids. S. media weed was the most susceptible, while R. crispus was most tolerant. Due to its high allelopathic potential, of nepetalactones, N. rtanjensis essential oil could be developed as promising natural bioherbicide to control weeds.