Phytochemical screening and phytotoxic activity of Pinus ponderosa (Dougl.) Lawson.

Developing natural herbicides offers a potential solution to mitigate the drawbacks associated with synthetic pesticides used in an excessive quantity to safeguard agricultural crops. In this study, essential oils extracted via hydrodistillation from Pinus ponderosa needles were investigated for their chemical composition and phytotoxic activity. Gas chromatography with mass spectrometry detection (GC/MS) identified twenty-three constituents, constituting 93.87% of the total oil. The predominant components were oxygenated monoterpenes (64.66%), with a-pinene (37.78%), β-pinene (24.32%), and sesquiterpenes hydrocarbons, particularly germacrene-D (7.26%). The phytotoxic effects of P. ponderosa essential oil were tested on Phalaris canariensis L., Trifolium campestre Schreb., and Sinapis arvensis L. The essential oil exhibited a significant inhibitory effect on seed germination and seedling growth in a dose-dependent manner. A low concentration of essential oil reduced the germination and seedling growth of all tested weeds. Additionally, the essential oil treatment impacted malondialdehyde content and electrolyte leakage in the seedlings. These preliminary findings suggest that essential oils from forest trees, particularly Pinus ponderosa, could serve as an ecofriendly alternative to chemical herbicides. This approach may contribute to addressing the challenges associated with synthetic pesticides while promoting sustainable and environmentally friendly agricultural practices. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]