EASTERN DODDER (CUSCUTA MONOGYNA VAHL.) SEED GERMINATION AFFECTED BY SOME HERBACEOUS DISTILLATES

Area of Science:

• Plant Science
• Agronomy
• Ecology

Background:

• Eastern dodder (Cuscuta monogyna Vahl.) is a noxious parasitic weed impacting ornamental trees in urban green spaces.
• Current control methods often rely on herbicides, which can have environmental drawbacks.
• There is a need for natural, effective alternatives to manage parasitic weeds.

Purpose of the Study:

• To identify natural inhibitors from herbaceous plant distillates for controlling Eastern dodder seed germination.
• To evaluate the impact of these distillates on parasitic weed seedling growth.

Main Methods:

• Laboratory studies were conducted using distillates from eight different herbaceous plants: Dracocephalum moldavica, Nasturtium officinalis, Malva neglecta, Mentha piperita, Mentha pulegium, Rosa damascene, Ziziphora tenuior, and Urtica dioica.
• The effect of these distillates on Cuscuta monogyna seed germination and seedling length was measured.
• Comparative analysis was performed against a distilled water control.

Main Results:

• Most herbaceous distillates inhibited Cuscuta monogyna seed germination, with Dracocephalum moldavica showing the maximum inhibition.
• Ziziphora tenuior distillate unexpectedly stimulated seed germination.
• All tested distillates significantly reduced Cuscuta monogyna seedling length, with Dracocephalum moldavica and Urtica dioica demonstrating the most potent effects.

Conclusions:

• Herbaceous plant distillates, particularly Dracocephalum moldavica and Urtica dioica, show significant potential as natural inhibitors against Eastern dodder.
• These natural compounds can effectively reduce parasitic weed germination and seedling growth, offering a sustainable alternative to synthetic herbicides.
• Utilizing these medicinal plant distillates could decrease reliance on chemical herbicides, thereby reducing host plant infection and environmental impact.