The group of scientists from Pisa University created natural herbicides on the basis of the essential oils extracted from weeds. Scientists published the results of the experiment in Weed Research magazine.
Initially scientists intended to learn whether it is possible to control how weeds are spread using natural substances. This work was especially urgent because of bans and restrictions of glifosat usage and harmful effect on people and environment caused by pesticides.
"Nobody thought to use essential oils from weeds against them. And this has also significant economic advantages, these plants have small agronomical costs, especially in water consumption" — it is said in the research.
Experiments were carried out for three years both in laboratory, and in greenhouses. Specialists allocated five species of plants from which the most effective essential oils against weeds can be made: common yarrow (Achillea millefolium), sweet wormwood (Artemisia annua), the Chinese muzzle (one of the types of wormwood — Artemisia verlotiorum), cotton weed (variety from Astrovye's family — Otanthus maritimus) and cocklebur ordinary (Xanthium strumarium).
"These natural herbicides can be used in the same way as traditional ones: both before and after seeding. They can be also used to treat sidewalks and roads in the cities where weeds often make a problem" — scientists note.
