Ricinus communis L. Leaf Extracts as a Sustainable Alternative for Weed Management

Aline Mazoy Lopes, Lucas Kila Ribeiro, Maurício Ricardo de Melo Cogo, Lucas Mironuk Frescura, Marcelo Barcellos da Rosa, Alex Schulz, Flávio Dias Mayer, Ederson Rossi Abaide, Marcus Vinícius Tres and Giovani Leone Zabot ()
Additional contact information
Aline Mazoy Lopes: Laboratory of Agroindustrial Processes Engineering (LAPE), Federal University of Santa Maria (UFSM), 3013, Taufik Germano Rd, Universitário II DC, Cachoeira do Sul 96503-205, Brazil
Lucas Kila Ribeiro: Laboratory of Phytotechnics (LFITO), Farroupilha Federal Institute of Education, Science and Technology (IFFar), RS-377, km 27, Alegrete 97555-000, Brazil
Maurício Ricardo de Melo Cogo: Laboratory of Phytotechnics (LFITO), Farroupilha Federal Institute of Education, Science and Technology (IFFar), RS-377, km 27, Alegrete 97555-000, Brazil
Lucas Mironuk Frescura: Laboratory of Chemical and Pharmaceutical Analysis (LAQUIF), Department of Chemistry, Federal University of Santa Maria (UFSM), Roraima Avenue, Santa Maria 97105-900, Brazil
Marcelo Barcellos da Rosa: Laboratory of Chemical and Pharmaceutical Analysis (LAQUIF), Department of Chemistry, Federal University of Santa Maria (UFSM), Roraima Avenue, Santa Maria 97105-900, Brazil
Alex Schulz: Laboratory of Biomass and Biofuels (L2B), Federal University of Santa Maria, Santa Maria 97105-900, Brazil
Flávio Dias Mayer: Laboratory of Biomass and Biofuels (L2B), Federal University of Santa Maria, Santa Maria 97105-900, Brazil
Ederson Rossi Abaide: Laboratory of Biomass and Biofuels (L2B), Federal University of Santa Maria, Santa Maria 97105-900, Brazil
Marcus Vinícius Tres: Laboratory of Agroindustrial Processes Engineering (LAPE), Federal University of Santa Maria (UFSM), 3013, Taufik Germano Rd, Universitário II DC, Cachoeira do Sul 96503-205, Brazil
Giovani Leone Zabot: Laboratory of Agroindustrial Processes Engineering (LAPE), Federal University of Santa Maria (UFSM), 3013, Taufik Germano Rd, Universitário II DC, Cachoeira do Sul 96503-205, Brazil

Sustainability, 2025, vol. 17, issue 15, 1-16

Abstract: Weeds pose a significant challenge to agricultural productivity, requiring control strategies that are both effective and environmentally sustainable. Therefore, this study evaluated the inhibitory potential of aqueous extracts from Ricinus communis L. leaves to manage the weeds Oryza sativa L. (weedy rice) and Cyperus ferax . Extracts were obtained through pressurized liquid extraction using water as the solvent. Bioassays were conducted during pre- and post-emergence stages by foliar spraying 15 and 30 days after sowing (DAS). The effect of extraction time (1–30 min) on inhibitory efficacy was also assessed. Chemical profiles of the extracts were characterized using high-performance liquid chromatography. The extracts significantly inhibited seed germination, with suppression rates reaching 92.7%. Plant growth was also diminished, particularly with earlier treatments (at 15 DAS), resulting in reductions of up to 32% and 53% in shoot length, and 69% and 73% in total dry mass for O. sativa L. and C. ferax , respectively. Mortality rates of O. sativa L. and C. ferax reached 64% and 58%, respectively. Phenolic compounds were identified in the extracts, and higher concentrations were observed at shorter extraction times. These findings underscore the potential of R. communis L. leaf extracts as an ecologically sustainable alternative for weed management, providing an effective and natural approach that may reduce reliance on synthetic herbicides and mitigate their environmental impact.

Keywords: inhibitory activity; phenolic compounds; plant-based herbicide; sustainability; sustainable agriculture; weed control (search for similar items in EconPapers)
JEL-codes: O13 Q Q0 Q2 Q3 Q5 Q56 (search for similar items in EconPapers)
Date: 2025
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