Authors: Prachi Bhojak
Abstract: Parthenium hysterophorus is one of the most harmful invasive weeds affecting agricultural biodiversity, human health, and livestock productivity. Chemical herbicides are commonly used for its management, but their continuous use causes environmental pollution and herbicide resistance. Biological control using phytopathogenic fungi has emerged as an eco-friendly alternative. Alternaria alternata produces several phytotoxic metabolites that possess herbicidal properties against weeds. The present study focuses on the isolation, extraction, and evaluation of phytotoxic metabolites produced by Alternaria alternata for the management of Parthenium hysterophorus. Various bioassays, such as seed germination inhibition, detached leaf bioassay, and whole-plant studies, demonstrated significant phytotoxic effects of the fungal metabolites. The study suggests that these fungal metabolites may serve as potential bioherbicides for sustainable weed management.
DOI: http://doi.org/10.5281/zenodo.20791824
