Herbicidal potential of aqueous extracts from Melia azedarach L., Artemisia arborescens L., Rhus coriaria L. and Lantana camara L.

In the search for new strategies for weed management in agricultural systems, a great interest is to use the plant extracts to replace or integrate, chemical weed control. Two experiments were done to test the effects of plant water extracts from Chinaberry (Melia azedarach L.), Tree Wormwood (Artemisia arborescens (Vaill.) L.), Sicilian Sumac (Rhus coriaria L.) and Lantana (Lantana camara L.) on seed germination of Rocket (Eruca sativa Mill.), Rapeseed (Brassica napus L.), Bladderflower (Araujia sericifera Brot.) and Psyllium (Plantago psyllium L). The water extracts (pure and 50% mixtures) from the donor species were applied on seeds of recipient plants. In second experiment in pots, these pure extracts were applied to test effects on the seed germination and seedlings growth of Rocket (E. sativa). The extracts inhibited the seed germination and this was dependent on the combined extracts of donor plants and target seeds. In the in vitro assay, pure extracts were more inhibitory than mixtures.