IDENTIFICATION OF ALLELOCHEMICAL COMPOUNDS IN Cosmos sulphureus Cav.: EXPLORING ITS POTENTIAL FOR SUSTAINABLE WEED MANAGEMENT

Plant-derived allelochemicals offer promising potential as eco-friendly bioherbicides. Cosmos sulphureus Cav. has demonstrated bioherbicidal properties due to its secondary metabolites distributed across various plant organs. This study aimed to identify and characterize allelochemical compounds in C. sulphureus organs using Gas Chromatography-Mass Spectrometry (GC-MS) with n-hexane as the extraction solvent. The results revealed diverse secondary metabolites, including terpenoids (germacrene A), fatty acids (hexadecanoic acid), and phenols, known for their allelopathic activities. The highest concentrations of germacrene A were detected in stems and roots, while leaves were rich in phytol, a diterpenoid with phytotoxic properties. These findings highlight the potential of C. sulphureus as a sustainable bioherbicide, warranting further investigation for field applications. © 2025, Rasayan Journal of Chemistry, c/o Dr. Pratima Sharma. All rights reserved.