Screening of Phytotoxin Producing Fungi for the Mycoherbicidal Management of Weeds of Leguminous Crop

Abstract

Pulses are the most important food crops after cereals, constitute the major source of dietary protein. India is the world’s largest producer and the largest consumer of leguminous crop. Green gram and pea are the major legume crops and today prominently figures in the crop priority of the farmers in Madhya Pradesh contributing to a major percentage to the total legume production in the country. Looking to the potential the objectives is to develop and exploit indigenous strains of fungal pathogens as mycoherbicides to manage some of problematic weeds of leguminous crop. During the periodic survey of various leguminous fields, it was observed that leaf spot, leaf blight, die back, petiole rot etc. diseased were associated with leguminous weeds. A total of 40 fungal isolates were selected from various diseased parts. The initial symptoms of Phytotoxic effect was distinct epinasty followed by necrosis, blackening and stiffness of the stem ultimately causing death of the plants. Alternaria petroselini (FCLW#23) was found in maximum frequency and hence, it would be the best fungal candidate for biological management.