Skip to main content
SpringerLink
Log in

Lavender as a Source of Novel Plant Compounds for the Development of a Natural Herbicide

  • Published:
Journal of Chemical Ecology Aims and scope Submit manuscript

Abstract

In a previous study, lavender (Lavandula spp.) was found to be highly phytotoxic towards annual ryegrass (Lolium rigidum, ARG), a major weed of winter wheat crops in Australia. This research aimed to further explore this relationship and determine the chemical(s) responsible for the observed effect. In bioassay, it was determined that the stem and leaf extract of L. x intermedia cv. Grosso ranked highest and had the potential to reduce significantly the root growth of several plant species. An extract concentration of 10% almost completely inhibited ARG root growth. When the extract was tested for stability, there was no loss in phytotoxicity after the 256 day trial. Via bioassay-guided fractionation and chromatographic techniques, it was determined that the sub-fraction consisting of coumarin and 7-methoxycoumarin was most phytotoxic towards ARG. Chemoassays of 18 structural analogues of coumarin showed that coumarin itself was the most phytotoxic and largely responsible for the observed phytotoxicity of the extract. Soil trials were conducted using pure coumarin and the lavender extract, and in both instances, shoot length and weight were significantly reduced by post-emergence application at all concentrations evaluated.

This is a preview of subscription content, log in via an institution to check access.

Access this article

Log in via an institution

Price excludes VAT (USA)
Tax calculation will be finalised during checkout.

Instant access to the full article PDF.

Institutional subscriptions

Fig. 1
Fig. 2
Fig. 3
Fig. 4
Fig. 5

Similar content being viewed by others

References

  • Aburjai, T., Hudiab, M., and Cavrini, V. 2005. Chemical composition of the essential oil from different aerial parts of lavender (Lavandula coronopofolia Poiert) (Lamiaceae) grown in Jordan. J. Ess. Oil Res. 17:49–51.

    Google Scholar 

  • Angioni, A., Barra, A., Coroneo, V., Dessi, S., and Cabras, P. 2006. Chemical composition, seasonal variability, and antifungal activity of Lavandula stoechas L. ssp stoechas essential oils from stem/leaves and flowers. J. Agric. Food Chem. 54:4364–4370.

    Article  PubMed  CAS  Google Scholar 

  • Areias, F. M., Valentao, P., Andrade, P. B., Moreira, M. M., Amaral, J., and Seabra, R. M. 2000. Hplc/Dad analysis of phenolic compounds from lavender and its application to quality control. J. Liquid Chrom. Related Tech. 23:2563–2572.

    Article  CAS  Google Scholar 

  • Argyropoulos, E. I., Eleftherohorinos, I. G., and Vokou, D. 2008. In vitro evaluation of essential oils from Mediterranean aromatic plants of the Lamiaceae for weed control in tomato and cotton crops. Allelopathy J. 22:69–78.

    Google Scholar 

  • Avers, C. J., and Goodwin, R. H. 1956. Studies on roots IV. Effects of coumarin and scopoletin on the standard root growth pattern of Phleum pratense. Amer. J. Bot. 43:612–620.

    Article  CAS  Google Scholar 

  • Broster, J. C., and Pratley, J. E. 2006. A decade of monitoring herbicide resistance in Lolium rigidum in Australia. Aus J. Exp. Ag. 46:1151–1160.

    Article  CAS  Google Scholar 

  • Chon, S. U., and Kim, Y. M. 2004. Herbicidal potential and quantification of suspected allelochemicals from four grass crop extracts. J. Agron. Crop Sci. 190:145–150.

    Article  CAS  Google Scholar 

  • Cornes, D. 2005. Callisto: a very successful maize herbicide inspired by allelochemistry, pp. 569–572, in J. D. I. Harper, M. An, H. Wu, and J. H. Kent (eds.). Proceedings of the 4th World Congress on Allelopathy. Charles Sturt University, Wagga, Australia.

  • Dias, L. S., Pereira, I. P., and Dias, A. S. 1995. Evaluation of Mediterranean-type vegetation for weedicide activity. Allelopathy J. 2:197–204.

    Google Scholar 

  • Dias, A. S., Dias, L. S., and Pereira, I. P. 2004. Activity of water extracts of Cistus ladanifer and Lavandula stoechas in soil on germination and early growth of wheat and Phalaris minor. Allelopathy J. 14:59–64.

    Google Scholar 

  • Dornbos, D. L., and Spencer, G. F. 1990. Natural products phytotoxicity—A bioassay suitable for small quantities of slightly water-soluble compounds. J. Chem. Ecol. 16:339–352.

    Article  CAS  Google Scholar 

  • Goodwin, R. H., and Taves, C. 1950. The effect of coumarin derivatives on the growth of Avena roots. Amer. J. Bot. 37:324–331.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Haig, T., Pratley, J., An, M., Haig, T., and Hildebrand, S. 2005. Using allelopathy to search for new natural herbicides from plants, pp. 565–568, in J. D. I. Harper, M. An, H. Wu, and J. H. Kent (eds.). Proceedings of the 4th World Congress on Allelopathy. Charles Sturt University, Wagga, Australia.

  • Moon, T., Wilkinson, J. M., and Cavanagh, H. M. A. 2006. Antiparasitic activity of two Lavandula essential oils against Giardia duodenalis, Trichomonas vaginalis and Hexamita inflate. Parasitology Res. 99(6):722–728.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Moon, T., Cavanagh, H. M. A., and Wilkinson, J. M. 2007. Antifungal activity of Australian grown Lavandula spp. essential oils against Aspergillus nidulans, Trichophyton mentagrophytes, Leptosphaeria maculans and Sclerotinia sclerotiorum. J. Ess. Oil Res. 19:171–175.

    CAS  Google Scholar 

  • Papachristos, D. P., and Stamopoulos, D. C. 2004. Fumigant toxicity of three essential oils on the eggs of Acanthoscelides obtectus (Say) (Coleoptera: Bruchidae). J. Stored Prod. Res. 40:517–525.

  • Pavela, R. 2005. Insecticidal activity of some essential oils against larvae of Spodoptera littoralis. Fitoterapia 76:691–696.

    Article  PubMed  CAS  Google Scholar 

  • Pergo, E. M., Abrahim, D., Da Silva, P. C. S., Kern, K. A., Da Silva L. J., Voll, E., and Ishii-Iwamoto, E. L. 2008. Bidens pilosa l. Exhibits high sensitivity to coumarin in comparison with three other weed species. J. Chem. Ecol. 34:499–507.

    Article  PubMed  CAS  Google Scholar 

  • Qasem, J. R. 2002. Allelopathic effects of selected medicinal plants on Amaranthrus retroflexus and Chenopodium murale. Allelopathy J. 10:105–122.

    Google Scholar 

  • Roller, S., Ernest, N., and Buckle, J. 2009. The antimicrobial activity of high-necrodane and other lavender oils on methicillin-sensitive and -resistant Staphylococcus aureus (MSSA and MRSA). J. Alt. and Comp. Med. 15:275–279.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Romeo, F. V., De Luca, S., Piscopo, A., and Poiana, M. 2008. Antimicrobial effect of some essential oils. J. Ess. Oil Res. 20:373–379.

    CAS  Google Scholar 

  • Salido, S., Altarejos, J., Nogueras, M., Sanchez, A., and Luque, P. 2004. Chemical composition and seasonal variations of spike lavender oil from southern Spain. J. Ess. Oil Res. 16:206–210.

    CAS  Google Scholar 

  • Tiliacos, C., Gaydou, E. M., Bessiere, J. M., and Agnel, R. 2008. Distilled lavandin (Lavandula intermedia emeric ex loisel) wastes: A rich source of coumarin and herniarin. J. Ess. Oil Res. 20:412–413.

    CAS  Google Scholar 

  • Uremis, I., Arslan, M., and Sangun, M. K. 2009. Herbicidal activity of essential oils on the germination of some problem weeds. Asian J. Chem. 21:3199–3210.

    CAS  Google Scholar 

Download references

Acknowledgements

Sincere thanks go to Dr. Nigel Urwin for supplying the plant material and to David Waters, Shane Hildebrand and the late Kim Ashton who assisted with plant collection and processing. The authors also thank the Australian Research Council (ARC) for financial support.

Author information

Authors and Affiliations

  1. EH Graham Centre for Agricultural Innovation, Industry and Investment NSW and Charles Sturt University, Wagga Wagga, NSW, Australia

    Timothy J. Haig, Terry J. Haig, Alexa N. Seal, James E. Pratley, Min An & Hanwen Wu

  2. School of Agricultural and Wine Sciences, Faculty of Science, Charles Sturt University, Locked Bag 588, Boorooma Street, Wagga Wagga, NSW, 2678, Australia

    Timothy J. Haig, Alexa N. Seal & James E. Pratley

  3. Environmental & Analytical Laboratories, Faculty of Science, Charles Sturt University, Locked Bag 588, Boorooma Street, Wagga Wagga, NSW, 2678, Australia

    Min An

  4. Wagga Wagga Agricultural Institute, Industry and Investment NSW, PMB, Wagga Wagga, NSW, 2650, Australia

    Hanwen Wu

Authors
  1. Timothy J. Haig
    View author publications

    You can also search for this author in PubMed Google Scholar

  2. Terry J. Haig
    View author publications

    You can also search for this author in PubMed Google Scholar

  3. Alexa N. Seal
    View author publications

    You can also search for this author in PubMed Google Scholar

  4. James E. Pratley
    View author publications

    You can also search for this author in PubMed Google Scholar

  5. Min An
    View author publications

    You can also search for this author in PubMed Google Scholar

  6. Hanwen Wu
    View author publications

    You can also search for this author in PubMed Google Scholar

Corresponding author

Correspondence to Alexa N. Seal.

Rights and permissions

Reprints and permissions

About this article

Cite this article

Haig, T.J., Haig, T.J., Seal, A.N. et al. Lavender as a Source of Novel Plant Compounds for the Development of a Natural Herbicide. J Chem Ecol 35, 1129–1136 (2009). https://doi.org/10.1007/s10886-009-9689-2

Download citation

  • Received:

  • Revised:

  • Accepted:

  • Published:

  • Issue Date:

  • DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/s10886-009-9689-2

Keywords

Search

Navigation