Weed management is a major challenge in agriculture, causing global yield losses of approximately 32%, surpassing damage from pests and pathogens. Sustainable approaches, such as integrated weed management and bioherbicides derived from phytotoxic plants or microorganisms, are gaining attention, though their physiological effects on weeds are not fully understood. Bioherbicides disrupt cellular and biochemical processes, including root growth, nutrient uptake, hormone balance, and pigment synthesis, often inducing stress responses. Their efficacy depends on formulation, dosage, weed species, and application methods. Advances in nanotechnology, including nanoparticles, nanoemulsions, and nanocapsules, enable controlled release, precise dosing, and enhanced delivery of bioactive compounds, improving weed suppression and crop performance. Essential oils from plants such as artemisia, eucalyptus, thyme, satureja, fennel, peppermint, and citronella exhibit allelopathic and herbicidal effects by inhibiting seed germination, disrupting physiological processes, and inducing cellular damage. Nanoformulations of these oils enhance solubility, stability, and bioavailability, increasing efficacy while minimizing crop toxicity. Integrating plant-derived bioherbicides with nanotechnology-based delivery systems offers an environmentally friendly, efficient, and sustainable strategy for weed management, supporting enhanced crop productivity, resource efficiency, and global food security.
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