Abstract
BackgroundFungal endophytes produce a variety of secondary metabolites which can be explored for herbicidal activities. Parthenium is a very aggressive and fast-spreading weed in Pakistan. The endophytes of Parthenium made it superior over other weeds. Those endophytes can be isolated, identified, and incorporated in sustainable agriculture to biologically control other severe weeds.Main bodyThe present study was conducted to isolate and identify the endophytic fungi from the roots of Parthenium hysterophorus (Family: Asteraceae) and evaluate their cultural filtrate against the growth of three selected weed species, i.e., Chenopodium album, Avena fatua, and Convolvulus arvensis. Moreover, pot experiments were conducted to evaluate the effects of cultural filtrates of these endophytic fungi against the germination, growth, and other physiological parameters (cellular contents, respiration, and cellular leakage) of the abovementioned three weed species. Three endophytic fungi, i.e., Alternaria, Aspergillus, and Drechslera spp., were isolated from the roots of P. hysterophorus. Among these endophytic fungi, cultural (hyphal) filtrate of Alternaria spp. exhibited the strongest phytotoxic effect, followed by Drechslera spp. and Aspergillus spp. against the selected weeds. Moreover, all the three endophytic fungi showed significant reduction in the germination as well as other physiological parameters of the weed species.ConclusionIt is concluded that the utilization of endophytic fungi could be a non-chemical, effective, ecofriendly, and low-cost biological control method that can be used for the biomanagement of fast-spreading and aggressive weeds.
Highlights
Fungal endophytes produce a variety of secondary metabolites which can be explored for herbicidal activities
Ahmad et al Egyptian Journal of Biological Pest Control (2020) 30:138 chemical pesticides has been the most cost-effective method, which has led to a large-scale use of chemical pesticides differing widely in respect to toxicology, unit activity, spectrum, and environmental effects (Yadav and Devi 2017)
For the past few decades, hostspecific fungi, bacteria, and viruses have been utilized for this purpose (Harding and Raizada 2015)
Summary
Fungal endophytes produce a variety of secondary metabolites which can be explored for herbicidal activities. The endophytes of Parthenium made it superior over other weeds Those endophytes can be isolated, identified, and incorporated in sustainable agriculture to biologically control other severe weeds. Main body: The present study was conducted to isolate and identify the endophytic fungi from the roots of Parthenium hysterophorus (Family: Asteraceae) and evaluate their cultural filtrate against the growth of three selected weed species, i.e., Chenopodium album, Avena fatua, and Convolvulus arvensis. Pot experiments were conducted to evaluate the effects of cultural filtrates of these endophytic fungi against the germination, growth, and other physiological parameters (cellular contents, respiration, and cellular leakage) of the abovementioned three weed species. I.e., Alternaria, Aspergillus, and Drechslera spp., were isolated from the roots of P. hysterophorus Among these endophytic fungi, cultural (hyphal) filtrate of Alternaria spp. exhibited the strongest phytotoxic effect, followed by Drechslera spp. and Aspergillus spp. against the selected weeds. Endophytes are involved in defensive mutualism and habitat adapted to symbiosis with host plant which helps host plant to cope with biotic and abiotic stresses (Rashid et al 2016)
Sign-in/Register to view highlights & summary Talk to us
Join us for a 30 min session where you can share your feedback and ask us any queries you have
Schedule a callDisclaimer: All third-party content on this website/platform is and will remain the property of their respective owners and is provided on "as is" basis without any warranties, express or implied. Use of third-party content does not indicate any affiliation, sponsorship with or endorsement by them. Any references to third-party content is to identify the corresponding services and shall be considered fair use under The CopyrightLaw.
