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Study of the Herbicidal Potential and Infestation Mechanism of Fusarium oxysporum JZ-5 on Six Broadleaved Weeds

Summary

Scientists isolated a fungus called Fusarium oxysporum from diseased weeds and tested whether it could help farmers control unwanted plants naturally. The fungus showed strong promise against several common weeds, especially henbit deadnettle, while remaining safe for important crops like barley, wheat, and potatoes. Electron microscope observations revealed that the fungus invades weeds through tiny pores on leaves and spreads across the leaf surface. This discovery offers farmers an environmentally friendly alternative to chemical herbicides for sustainable agriculture.

Background

Weeds compete with crops for resources and cause approximately 30% annual yield losses in major crops worldwide. Chemical herbicides remain the predominant weed control method but pose significant environmental risks including water contamination and herbicide-resistant weed populations. Fungal bioherbicides represent a promising sustainable alternative for weed management in ecologically sensitive regions like the Qinghai-Tibetan Plateau.

Objective

This study aimed to isolate and characterize a pathogenic fungal strain from infected redroot pigweed and evaluate its herbicidal potential against six broadleaved weed species and crop safety profile. The strain was identified and its infection mechanism was investigated using morphological, molecular, and ultrastructural analyses.

Results

Strain JZ-5 exhibited pathogenicity rates of 23.46-86.25% against six weed species, with highest efficacy against henbit deadnettle (86.25%). The strain was identified as Fusarium oxysporum. Safety assessments showed no adverse effects on barley, wheat, and potato at 10^4 spores/mL concentration. Scanning electron microscopy revealed fungal invasion through stomata with dense mycelial networks forming by day 7.

Conclusion

Fusarium oxysporum strain JZ-5 demonstrates high herbicidal potential against three problematic weed species (Chenopodium album, Elsholtzia densa, and Lamium amplexicaule) while maintaining safety for three major crops (barley, wheat, and potato). This fungal strain warrants further development as an environmentally sustainable bioherbicide for agricultural weed management.
  • Published in:Microorganisms,
  • Study Type:Laboratory and Greenhouse Experimental Study,
  • Source: PMID: 40732050, DOI: 10.3390/microorganisms13071541
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