Potential biocontrol of Echinochloa crus-galli (Barnyard grass) by Curvularia lunata LD2 as a Mycoherbicide

Echinochloa crus-galli (commonly known as barnyard grass) is a noxious weed causing loss of several economically important field crops in tropical regions . An intensive work on the screening of the bio control agents was accomplished through in vitro epidemic study to control weed populations. The foliar disease symptoms on infected weed plant caused by fungal pathogens represented as round to irregular maroon spots with dark borders and the epidemic was indent fields as leaf spot disease. The pathogen allied with the infection of barnyard grass was isolated from infectious propagules by inoculation of leaf bites on a potato dextrose agar (PDA). The caused agent of leaf spot was confirmed as barnyard grass by Koch’s postulates. The mycoherbicide ability of Curvularia lunata to control barnyard grass has been examined through visual (standard are diagram) and statistical methods. The results revealed that the pathogen causes significantly severe infection on host weed and destructs the weed population by leaf spot diseases. The findings of the research suggested that the isolate barnyard grass is highly virulent and host specific and recommended for further studies as a promising bio- control agent against barnyard weed.