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Abstract
The secondary metabolites and their biobenefits of many species of the genus Nepeta have been assayed for determination of the chemical constituents. In this study, Nepeta nuda subsp. albiflora’essential oil was assayed and identified with gas chromatography/mass spectrometry (GC-MS). The oil has been principally dominated by 4aα,7α,7α,β-nepetalactone (74.27%) and 2(1H)-naphthalenone, octahydro-8a-methyl-trans-(10.09%). In the bioassay testings, direct exposure of the essential oil on five plant species (Triticum aestivum, Raphanus sativus, Lactuca sativa, Lepidium sativum and Portulaca oleracea) revealed significant herbicidal actions, inhibiting the germination, radicle and plumule elongation, fresh and dry weight. As a consequence, East Mediterranean Nepeta nuda subsp. albiflora with the essential oil bearing the crucial secondary metabolites could be suggested as a natural herbicide for further use in the agriculture.