Valorization of Mediterranean Species of Thyme for the Formulation of Bio-Herbicides
2024
Rym Boukhalfa | Claudia Ruta | Saida Messgo-Moumene | Generosa J. Calabrese | Maria Pia Argentieri | Giuseppe De Mastro
This study focused on the evaluation of the phytotoxic activity of four essential oils (EOs) from the Mediterranean species of <i>Thymus</i> sp. pl., namely <i>Thymus algeriensis</i> Boiss. et Reut., <i>T. ciliatus</i> Desf. subspecies <i>coloratus</i> (Boiss. et Reut.) Batt., <i>T. vulgaris</i> L. ecotype Fasano and <i>T. vulgaris</i> cultivar L. Varico 3, to identify new biomolecules with herbicide potential. The chemical characterization of EOs was performed by GC-MS. The evaluation of the phytotoxicity of the EOs was conducted under <i>in vitro</i> conditions, and the inhibition of germination and seedling growth of <i>Lolium perenne</i> L. and <i>Amaranthus retroflexus</i> L. were assessed. Five concentrations (100, 250, 500, 750 and 1000 µL/100 mL) were considered. Phytochemical analysis revealed a great diversity of compounds. <i>T. algeriensis</i> and <i>T. ciliatus</i> EOs were characterized by the absence of carvacrol and a low content of thymol in <i>T. ciliatus</i>. On the contrary, <i>T. vulgaris</i> ecotype Fasano and <i>T. vulgaris</i> cultivar Varico 3 were characterized by an important content of <i>p</i>-cymene, thymol and carvacrol. All the EOs expressed a potent phytotoxic activity against the tested species. The total inhibition of seed germination and seedling growth were recorded for the highest concentrations of all the EOs. <i>T. vulgaris</i> ecotype Fasano expressed the most effective activity.
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