Bioherbicide based on Diaporthe sp. secondary metabolites in the control of three tough weeds

Abstract

Brazilian growers are facing difficulties to manage the weeds Lolium multiflorum, Conyza sp. and Echinochloa sp. using commercially available agrochemicals in most crops. This study aims to evaluate the use of a bioherbicide based on fermented broth containing secondary metabolites of Diaporthe sp. to control L. multiflorum, Conyza sp. and Echinochloa sp. The bioherbicide activity in pre- emergence and post-emergence of these weed species and phytotoxicity on soybean, wheat and rice plants were evaluated. In the pre-emergence test using all weed species, the bioherbicide showed 100% control efficiency in comparison with the control group. Phytotoxic symptoms were observed on soybean leaves and horseweed was efficiently controlled using the bioherbicide.