Finland 1

Jan Klaile (19)

City/Region: Espoo, Uusimaa E-mail: janklaile@hotmail.com Hobbies: Drama and musical theatre, aerobics, piano, reading and writing, television, computer and video games Career: Biologist, actor and/or author School: Mattlidens Gymnasium

The Effect of Eucalyptus Oil on Radish

Jan has long been interested in biology and about how nature works. Through his mother he became acquainted with perfume oils derived from plants (essential oils). After reading about the suppressive effects of eucalyptus on its surrounding vegetation and about the theory that suggested Eucalyptus oil was the principal culprit he wanted to find out more. He learnt that Eucalyptus globulus oil has an inhibitory effect on the germination of the common radish. Similarly, eucalyptus oil suppresses the growth of it. 1,8-cineole, or eucalyptol, is the chief ingredient of Eucalyptus globulus oil, constituting about 70% of the oil. The chemical has been found to inhibit the synthesis of both cell nuclear DNA in the root apical meristem of Brassica campestris, a near relative of the common radish. In other words significantly impeding the growth of the root. After an examination of numerous secondary sources, Jan, concluded that eucalyptus oil is indeed responsible for the suppressive effects of eucalyptus species on its surrounding vegetation.