Phytotoxic and fungitoxic activities of the essential oil of kenaf (Hibiscus cannabinus L.) leaves and its composition

The chemical composition of the essential oil of kenaf (Hibiscus cannabinus) was examined by GCMS. Fifty-eight components were characterized from H. cannabinus with (E)-phytol (28.16%), (Z)phytol (8.02%), n-nonanal (5.70%), benzene acetaldehyde (4.39%), (E)-2-hexenal (3.10%), and 5-methylfurfural (3.00%) as the major constituents. The oil was phytotoxic to lettuce and bentgrass and had antifungal activity against Colletotrichum fragariae, Colletotrichum gloeosporioides, and Colletotrichum accutatum but exhibited little or no algicidal activity.