Mycoherbicide potential of Alternaria alternata (Fries.) Kiessler and its formulations on the host weed Xanthium strumarium L. Issue 12 (1st December 2020)

• Record Type: Journal Article
• Authors: Abdessemed, Nesma; Bahet, Youssef Anis; Zermane, Nadjia
• Is Part Of: Biocontrol science and technology. Volume 30:Issue 12(2020)
• Page Start: 1300
• Page End: 1315
• Publication Date: 2020-12-01
• Subjects: Xanthium strumarium -- Alternaria alternata -- liquid formulation -- solid formulation -- herbicide (Mustang®) -- mycoherbicide; Pests -- Biological control -- Periodicals; Weeds -- Biological control -- Periodicals; Pesticides -- Environmental aspects -- Periodicals; Plants, Protection of -- Periodicals; Plants -- Biological control -- Periodicals; Agricultural pests -- Control -- Periodicals; Pest Control, Biological -- Periodicals; 632.96
• DOI: 10.1080/09583157.2020.1814692
• Languages: English
• ISSNs: 0958-3157

Abstract

ABSTRACT: This study evaluated the mycoherbicidal potential of Alternaria alternata (Fries.) Kiessler on cocklebur ( Xanthium strumarium L.), a noxious weed in Algeria. Conidial suspension, a rapeseed-oil-based liquid formulation and a sodium-alginate-based solid formulation, all with 10 6 conidia/ml, as well as the herbicide (Mustang ® ) at a reduced dose (0.45 L/ha) were compared. Inoculum was applied on detached leaves of cocklebur under laboratory conditions and on 4–5 leaf stage cocklebur seedlings in pots in a greenhouse and in the field. Disease severity was highest following application of the liquid formulation in the detached leaf assay (95.5%) as well as in the pot (80%) and field (43%) experiments. Similarly, the oil-based liquid formulation reduced cocklebur height, root length and dry weight by up to 50%, 27% and 58%, respectively in pot trial and 40%, 51% and 45%, respectively in the field experiment. The conidial suspension ranked second in efficacy, followed by the solid formulation. Mustang ® showed the highest herbicidal effect. None of the crops tested for host specificity including tomato, wheat, faba bean and zucchini was susceptible to the fungus. Our findings suggest that A. alternata has potential as biocontrol agent of cocklebur especially when applied in an oil-emulsion-based formulation.