Phytotoxic effect of eucalyptus essential oil on annonigrass germination and early growth

Abstract

Plants release various substances into the environment that can influence the development of
other plants in a phenomenon called allelopathy. In this way, this study aimed to evaluate the
allelopathic potential of eucalyptus essential oil (Eucalyptus staigeriana F. Muell) on germination
and initial growth of annoni-grass (Eragrostis plana Nees). Parameters evaluated were
percentage of germination, speed of accumulated germination (IVG), shoot growth (CPA) and
root growth (CR). All the parameters were affected by the application of the essential oil, and
the most expressive results were observed on initial growth, where 1 μl of essential oil reduced
in approximately 60% the CPA and 0.3 μL reduced in 75% the CR of the annoni-grass. The results
evidenced the phytotoxic effect of the essential oil of E. staigeriana and provide subsidies
for the development of field studies related to the agro-ecological management of this weed.