Phytotoxicity of a medicinal plant, Anisomeles indica, against Phalaris minor and its potential use as natural herbicide in wheat fields

Anisomeles indica (Catmint; Lamiaceae) is an aromatic plant with a wide range of medicinal properties. In the search of new methods of weed management, we assessed A. indica for potential inhibitory activity against P. minor and other weeds of the wheat crop. A. indica leaf and root powder applied as mulch at 1 and 2 t ha(-1) significantly reduced the emergence and growth of P. minor and other weeds of wheat crop similar to herbicide, without any negative effect on the wheat growth and yield. At 2 t ha(-1) dose of root powder mulch of A. indica, there was an enhancement in the grain yield of wheat and suppression of weeds under natural field conditions. The study concludes that mulch of A. indica, a medicinal plant, holds good promise for use as a natural herbicide for managing weeds in wheat fields. (c) 2006 Elsevier Ltd. All rights reserved.