Phytochemical profiling and allelopathic effect of garlic essential oil on barnyard grass (Echinochloa crusgalli L.)

In agriculture, barnyard grass (Echinochloa crusgalli L.) is one of the most harmful weeds in rice fields now. In order to identify active ingredients which had inhibiting effect on barnyard grass (Echinochloa crusgalli L.), we evaluated several possible natural plant essential oils. Essential oils from twelve plant species showed inhibitory activity against barnyard grass seedlings and root length. The garlic essential oil (GEO) had the most significant allelopathic effect (EC(50) = 0.0126 g mL(-1)). Additionally, the enzyme activities of catalase (CAT), peroxidase (POD) and superoxide dismutase (SOD) increased during the first 8 hours of treatment at a concentration of 0.1 g mL(-1) and then declined. The activities of CAT, SOD and POD increased by 121%, 137% and 110% (0–8h, compared to control), and decreased (8–72h, compared to the maximum value) by 100%, 185% and 183%, respectively. The total chlorophyll content of barnyard grass seedlings decreased by 51% (0–72h) continuously with the same dosage treatment. Twenty constituents of GEO were identified by gas chromatography-mass spectrometry, and the herbicidal activity of two main components (diallyl sulfide and diallyl disulfide) was evaluated. Results showed that both components had herbicidal activity against barnyard grass. GEO had a strong inhibitory effect (~88.34% inhibition) on barnyard grass growth, but safety studies on rice showed it did not have much inhibitory effect on rice seed germination. Allelopathy of GEO provide ideas for the development of new plant-derived herbicides.