Reducing environmental pollution by chemical herbicides using natural plant derivatives - allelopathy effect.

INTRODUCTION: Weeds are an important factor in determining production in the agricultural sector. Currently, weeds have been managed by employing synthetic weedicides chemicals. These chemicals have a negative impact on the environment through accumulation in soil and water, in addition to their effect on biological diversity.

MATERIAL AND METHODS: A study was undertaken to evaluate the activity of the aqueous extract of leaves from; Nerium (Nerium oleander L), olives (Olea europaea L) and castor (Ricinus communis L) on the control of Cyperus rotundus L. The study comprised of two components: three plant species, and the uses of three planta extracts concentration (5%, 7.5% and 10%) and their impact on germination and inhibition of seedling growth.

RESULTS: The results from using Nerium extract in comparison with Tibenuron and the two other plants extracts gave 90% inhibition at concentrations of 5% and 10%, while the concentration of 2.5% gave the lowest inhibition rates for germination of all plant extracts under study. The second experiment carried out using 10% concentration of the Nerium extract gave complete inhibition (100%), compared with the same concentrations of other plants extract and weedicides.

CONCLUSIONS: The current study indicates the possibility of using natural products of plant origin as alternatives to chemical herbicides as one of the means of biological control to reducing environment pollution.