Harnessing the Phytochemistry Through Pesticidal Potential of Diverse Elsholtzia Species: A Path to Sustainable Agriculture

Abstract

This study investigates the phytochemical profiles and pesticidal activities of various Elsholtzia species, including E. ciliata, E. flava, E. fruticosa, and E. eriostachya, to discover their bioactive potential for sustainable pest management. Through comparative phytochemical analysis using GC‐MS technique, key compounds in the essential oils were identified. The major components were thymoquinone (44.97%) in E. ciliata, shisofuran (28.66%) in E. flava, perillene (50.88%) in E. fruticosa, and pinocarvone (42.41%) in E. eriostachya. Despite variability in chemical composition, all species primarily contained oxygenated monoterpenes. The bioactivity of the oils was evaluated for their nematicidal and herbicidal bioassays. E. ciliata showed the highest egg hatching inhibition and juvenile mortality of M. incognita, while E. flava exhibited the lowest activity. For herbicidal activity, E. eriostachya achieved 96.70% seed germination inhibition, 100% root growth inhibition, and 95.56% shoot growth inhibition. E. flava showed the lowest inhibition in germination, root length, and shoot length at 66.70%, 81.56%, and 85.28%, respectively. The findings revealed significant variations in phytochemical composition and pesticidal efficacy, emphasizing the importance of species selection for pest management. This research highlights the bioactive potential of Elsholtzia species in sustainable pest management strategies.