Phytochemical Profiling and Agro-Environmental Applications of Sphagneticola calendulacea in Sustainable Agriculture

Sphagneticola calendulacea (L.) Pruski (syn. Wedelia calendulacea), a creeping perennial herb of the family Asteraceae, has gained increasing scientific attention for its ecological resilience, phytochemical richness, and multifunctional applications in sustainable agriculture. The present study evaluates its botanical attributes, phytochemical profile, soil-stabilizing ability, phytoremediation potential, weed suppression capacity, and suitability as green manure. Field-based observations combined with laboratory screening revealed abundant flavonoids, phenolic compounds, and terpenoids in plant extracts, which are associated with antioxidant, antimicrobial, and allelopathic activities. Dense stoloniferous root systems effectively reduced surface soil erosion, while biomass incorporation improved soil organic carbon and microbial activity. Weed growth was significantly suppressed in plots dominated by S. calendulacea, suggesting allelochemical-mediated interference. The collective findings highlight the plant’s promise as an eco-friendly biological resource for sustainable cropping systems, soil restoration, and low-input agriculture.