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Abstract

Integrated weed management systems are crucial to effectively address the growing challenges of herbicide resistance and environmental degradation, and to maintain the sustainability and productivity of our food systems. As the global agricultural community grapples with these pressing issues, this innovative research explores eco-friendly strategies for controlling weeds in peanut farming. This study evaluated a traditional synthetic herbicide (Bentazon + Imazamox) in comparison with the potent essential oils of thyme and eucalyptus.Trial was conducted in the peanut-rich Aegean region of Türkiye during the 2022-2023 growing season, by using a randomized complete block design to ensure accurate and reliable results. Ten treatments were administered, including eight plant-based foliar sprays crafted from essential oils and hydrosols, one treatment with the commercial herbicide Bioxam, and a control was left untreated. The researchers carefully assessed the effectiveness of pinus, thyme, and eucalyptus essential oils in suppressing weeds when applied after emergence at the critical 2-4 leaf stage. While the synthetic herbicide Bioxam achieved a remarkable 90% weed control, its success came at a cost: mild phytotoxicity, which impacted the peanut plants. This trade-off raises important questions about the long-term sustainability of chemical-based approaches. In contrast, the plant-based treatments offered a more solution, with the Pinus EO and Thyme EO treatments statistically rivaling Bioxam's effectiveness while preserving the health of the peanut plants. While, the highest yields are achieved with Bioxam herbicide applications, averaging 4,596.33 kg ha-1. The natural compounds yielded a higher yield—ranging from 3.4% to 34%—compared to the control plots. These findings suggest that integrating natural plant compounds with traditional herbicide approaches can be introduce new sustainable techniques for weed management in peanut farming, paving the way for a more sustainable and environmentally conscious agricultural.

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