Potential control of Echinochloa crus-galli (Barnyard grass) by Curvularia lunata as a mycoherbicide

Abstract

Echinochloa crus- galli (Barnyard grass) is a world’s most harmful weed species.  Echinochloa crus-galli weed species compete with many economically important crops and causes serious problem in rice production. The virulent strain LD2 (leaf disease) of Curvularia lunata was screened out from 25 fungus strains isolated from the diseased leaves of barnyard grass (Echinochloa crus-galli). Greenhouse pot studies were conducted to the feasibility of the strain being as a mycoherbicide for barnyard grass control. The results of pathogenicity experiments showed that this strain was highly pathogenic to barnyard grass at the 2 to 3 leaf stages. Strain LD2 provided excellent barnyard grass control when it was applied at the concentration of 1×10⁴, 1×10⁶ conidia ml¹. This strain was very safe to rice and the most plant species except wheat, barley and corn. Findings of this study indicated that this strain could be a potential mycoherbicide for barnyard grass control in paddy fields in the future. Keywords: Barnyard grass, Bioherbicides, Curvularia lunata, Echinochloa crus-galli, Mycoherbicide,