Macrophomina phaseolina (Tassi) Goid Culture Filtrates is a Lucrative Source for Weed Control

Abstract

The mycoherbicides have been recognized as an effective approach for weed control as being eco-friendly, low cost, and of long-lasting. This research was carried out to evaluate the herbicidal effect of Macrophomina phaseolina, the causal of sesame charcoal rot. The fungal culture was extracted with water and the extract toxicity was evaluated by seed germination, detached leaf, and whole plant bioassays on several weed species of Iraq (Cynanchum actum, Malva parviflora, Sorghum halepense, Lolium rgidum, and Silybum marianum). The results revealed that the extract of the fungal culture was significantly inhibited the germination of the examined weeds seeds by more than 86.7 %. The detached leaf bioassay also indicated that the culture extract was of potent toxic effect to all examined weed species, regardless their types (broad or narrow and mono or dicotyledonous). The phytotoxicity symptoms appeared on the detached leaves were as tissue and chlorophyll disintegration, yellowing, necrosis, and death. The same toxic symptoms were also recorded on the whole plant bioassay in vivo but the weed species of the narrow leaves however, showed significantly much less effect. The phytotoxicity on the examined weed species ranged from 66 to 83%. Moreover, the fungal culture extract was also found to be of potent toxic effect to milk thistle (Silybum marianum) despite the application method as foliar spraying or root immersing with 100% and 20% of the extract respectively. The results of this research showed for the first time the effect of M. phaseolina culture filtrates as a potent herbicide potential on different weed species.