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Due to an increase in the number of herbicide-resistant weeds and environmental concerns about the use of synthetic herbicides, a great effort is being made in designing alternative weed management strategies. The present study was carried out in order to examine the impact of winter savory (Satureja montana) aqueous extract in natural weed management. We evaluated the effect of two concentrations (0.1 and 0.2%) of S. montana aqueous extract on the activity of antioxidant enzymes and the lipid peroxidation process in Jimson weed (Datura stramonium) seedlings. Our results showed that S. montana aqueous extract induced lipid peroxidation in roots of Jimson weed seedlings 72 hours after the treatment.

Secondary plant biomolecules are the main agents in biochemical inter­actions between plants and the environment. It is possible to distinguish the role of secondary biomolecules in allelopathic (plant-plant) activity, plant-insect, plant-microbe, plant-herbivore and others. These interactions can significantly affect the productivity of agricultural crops. Application of allelochemicals into agricultural practice may reduce the use of herbicides. Effect of Salvia sclarea L. and Clinopodium menthifolium (Host) aqueous extracts on lipid peroxidation process, as well as the activity of antioxidant enzymes in leaves and roots of Jimson weed (Datura stramonium L.) and soybean (Glycine max L.) seedlings were examined 24 h, 72 h and 120 h after the treatment. The third aim was to evaluate effectiveness of aqueous extract as contact toxicant against Rhyzopertha dominica. Our results showed that S. sclarea aqueous extract induced lipid peroxidation in roots of Jimson weed seedlings 24 h after the treatment. Furthermore, both tested concentrations of C. menthifolium aqueous extract induced lipid peroxidation in Jimson weed roots 72 h and 120 h after the treatment. It was observed that S. sclarea aqueous extract showed toxic effect against R. dominica, with high mortality rate (above 95%).

The aim of this study was to examine the impact of Satureja montana L. aqueous extract on soybean antioxidant properties so as to assess its possible side effects when applied as biohebicide in soybean organic production. The effects of two concentrations (0.1% and 0.2%) of S. montana aqueous extract on the activity of the antioxidant enzymes superoxide dismutase (SOD) and catalase (CAT) in leaves and roots of soybean (Glycine max L.) seedlings were examined 24, 72 and 120 h after the treatment. Our results showed that the significant increase in the catalase activity was recorded in roots of soybean treated with both concentrations of the extract used. On the other hand, both concentrations of S. montana aqueous extract stimulated the significant increase of the superoxide dismutase activity in leaves and roots of soybean. Higher activity of the antioxidant enzymes in the roots of soybean compared with activity of the antioxidant enzymes in leaves showed that roots were more affected than leaves