Research Article
Fungal Pathogen of Rottboellia cochinchinensis and its Potential as Bioherbicide

Jugah B. Kadir, A. Ahmad, M. Sariah and A.S. Juraimi

Asian Journal of Plant Sciences, 2007, 6(1), 21-28.

Abstract

The possibility of using an indigenous plant pathogen to control itchgrass (Rottboellia cochichinensis) was investigated in this study. A fungal pathogen of itchgrass, Exserohilum longirostratum, was determined in the laboratory and greenhouse as a potential bioherbicide. The disease symptoms on inoculated plants appeared 24 h post inoculation as discrete spot with watery dark border, eventually expand and cause extensive necrosis on the leaves, resulted in burnt-like symptom. When applied as a post emergence foliar spray, the fungus inflicted high percentage of mortality to young itch grass seedlings It did not killed older plants but was capable of reducing biomass by about 56% when the plants were inoculated with 3.5x10⁵ conidia mL^-1. Media containing carbon: nitrogen ratio of 10:1 as in V8 juice agar and PDA produced more conidia compared to medium (CMA) containing carbon:nitrogen ratio of 40:1. Light and temperature had major influence on fungal sporulation, exposing the fungus to longer duration (12 h) of light significantly increases conidia production. The optimal temperature for growth and sporulation of this fungus is in the range of 25 to 30°C.

ASCI-ID: 7-1055

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Australasian Plant Pathology, 2020, 49(3), 257. DOI: 10.1007/s13313-020-00705-9