Effect of extracting compounds from sweet basil as a natural bioherbicide against purple nutsedge (Cyperus rotundus L.) small flower umbrella plant (Cyperus difformis L.) and annual weeds
Year: 2026
Type: article
Abstract: Four experiments were carried out, in rice, maize, wheat and sweet potatoes in the open field and wirehouse of the Agricultural Research Stations farm at Gemmiza and Giza in four successive seasons during the years from 2023 to 2025. The objective of this study was to determine the effect of sweet basil extracts, aqueous and powder (applied at different rates ranging from 0.5 to 2.5 L fed.-1 and 350 g/fed.) compared to bentazone, halosulfuron-methyl, pyroxasulfone; hand weeding twice and an untreated check on some annual and perennial weeds. The experiment design was a randomized complete block design and each treatment had four replicates. The results revealed that the tested crops tolerated sweet basil natural aqueous herbicides at 2 to 2.5 L fed.-1 as well as sweet basil powder extract reduced Cyperus rotundus, Cyperus difformis and some annual weeds by 78–90% when applying at the 2–4 leaf stage for weeds, while improving the growth and yields of rice and wheat. Furthermore, halosulfuron-methyl and bentazone reduced fresh weight of Cyperus rotundus L. and Cyperus difformis L. by 89% to 95%. While, pyroxasulfone reduced winter annual weeds by 96%. So, aqueous sweet basil extract and sweet basil powder effectively control weeds in transplanted rice, maize, wheat, and sweet potato crops. This application offers a natural, alternative method for weed management in these agricultural fields.
Language: English
Subfield: Plant Science
Domain: Life Sciences
SDGs: Zero hunger, Life on land
Open Access status: diamond
OpenAlex ID: W7222890464