Essential oil composition and allelopathic effect of chrysanthemum coronarium (garland) extracts on the germination and root growth of four plant species.
Résumé
The chemical composition of the essential oil of Chrysanthemum coronarium (Garland) flowerheads grown in Tunisia (Nabeul) was examined by gas chromatography-mass spectrometry (GC-MS). Forty components were characterized with cis-chrysanthenyl acetate (21.82%), trans-chrysanthenyl acetate (12.78%), (E)-β-farnesene (8.97%), α-methylstyrene (8.92%) and camphor (6.03%) as the major constituents. The aqueous extracts of C. coronarium (2.5, 5, 7.5 and 12.5% (w/v)) were tested for their effects on the germination and the root growth of Triticum durum, Zea mays, Sinapis arvensis and Phalaris canariensis. Results showed that the extracts reduced the germination and root growth of all tested species in a dose-dependant manner. The phytotoxic effect of the extracts was found to be more pronounced in S. arvensis and P. canariensis. These results suggest the possible use of C. coronarium as environmentally friendly herbicide for the control of weeds and pest management.