Phytochemical composition and biopesticidal potential of Gypsophila pilosa Huds

Gypsophila species are rich in saponins and phenolic compounds that exhibit antibacterial, cytotoxic, and antioxidant activities; however, there is not much information about their herbicidal, insecticidal, or fungicidal effects.

This study was to investigate the phytochemical composition and examine the herbicidal, antifungal, and insecticidal effects of Gypsophila pilosa Huds., a species of the Caryophyllaceae family, to evaluate its potential as an environmental friendly biopesticide for sustainable agriculture. The soil properties at the collection site were evaluated, and plant material was collected from Kırşehir Province, Turkey. The phytochemical structure of the aerial parts (leaves+flowers+shoots) methanol extract was analysed using LC-ESI-MS/MS. A phytochemical study found eight phenolic compounds, with rosmarinic acid (17,710 mg/kg), ferulic acid (13,955 mg/kg), and rutin (2,994 mg/kg) being the main components. Methanol and hexane extracts were prepared and tested for their herbicidal activity against Rumex crispus L., Taraxacum officinale F.H. Wigg. and Triticum aestivum L., as well as their antifungal activity against Rhizoctonia solani Kühn., Sclerotinia sclerotiorum (Lib.)de Bary, Phytophthora infestans (Mont.) de Bary and Monilinia fructigena (Pers.) Honey. Additionally, they were tested for their insecticidal activity against Sitophilus granaries. Herbicidal research indicated a significant decrease of germination and seedling development in R. crispus and T. officinale, with methanol extracts exhibiting total suppression of T. officinale at increased treatments. Antifungal assays showed that both methanol and hexane extracts inhibited the mycelial growth of R. solani, P. infestans, and M. fructigena, although S. sclerotiorum showed resistance. Insecticidal experiments demonstrated a dose- and time-dependent mortality of S. granarius, with the methanol extract obtaining a mortality rate of up to 61% at a 20% concentration after 96 h.

This research is the first demonstration of the biopesticidal properties of G. pilosa, showing significant herbicidal, antifungal, and insecticidal effects. The findings indicate that G. pilosa could be used as an environmental friendly alternative for chemical pesticides, improving integrated pest management strategies while supporting sustainable farming practices.