Study of the Activity of Catalase and Peroxidase Enzymes in Three Weed Species after Treatment with Eucalyptus Extract

The use of allelochemicals as natural herbicides represents a novel approach for mitigating the adverse environmental effects of chemical herbicides and preventing weed resistance to such agents. The allelopathic impact of Eucalyptus camaldolensis leaves and roots on the activity of catalase and peroxidase enzymes in Secale montanum, Malva sylvestris, and Festuca ovina was evaluated under greenhouse conditions in ۲۰۰۸ at the Research Institute of Forests and Rangelands. This study was conducted as a completely random design with three repetitions and the means were comparing using Duncan's test at the level of ۰.۰۵. The greenhouse stage treatments included the control group and various quantities/doses of dried leaf powder (۵, ۱۰, ۱۵ grams), fresh leaf powder (۵, ۱۰, ۲۰ grams), ethanolic extract of leaves (۳, ۶, ۱۲ grams per liter), aqueous extract of dry leaves (at ۵%, ۱۰%, and ۱۵% concentrations), aqueous extract of fresh leaves (۱۰% and ۲۰% concentrations), and root secretions. The ethanolic extract of dry leaves (۳, ۶, ۱۲ g/liter) was sprayed on the leaves of some pots. The study demonstrated that the ethanolic extract had the highest inhibitory effect, while the aqueous extracts from fresh and dry leaves also exhibited some inhibitory activity. Additionally, the measured parameters indicated a decrease. The fresh and dried leaf powders served as a cover and prevented moisture from escaping. The study found that root secretions completely inhibited the germination of seeds of all three species when tested on one-year-old eucalyptus seedlings in pots.