PHYTOTOXIC AND HERBICIDAL ACTIVITIES OF Aspergillus AND Penicillium SPECIES ISOLATED FROM RHIZOSPHERE AND SOIL

• Published in: Pakistan journal of weed science research Vol. 20; no. 3
• Main Authors: Khattak, Saeed Ullah, Iqbal, Zafar, Lutfullah, Ghosia, Bacha, Nafees, Khan, Abid Ali, Saeed, Muhammad, Ali, Murad
• Format: Journal Article
• Language: English
• Published: 01.09.2014
• Subjects: Aspergillus; Lemna minor; Penicillium
• ISSN: 1815-1094

Two fungi one isolated from the rhizosphere of Menthapiperita and the other isolated from the top soil (20 cm) of the agricultural farm of the University of Agriculture Peshawar Pakistan. The rhizospheric fungus was identified as Aspergillus and Penicillium as soil born. The dried crude extracts of Aspergillus and Penicillium species were screened for phytotoxic bioassay and herbicidal activities (against Lemna minor andthe weed Silybummarianum L. respectively) in order to evaluate the agrochemical importance of the extracts. Different dose concentrations (10 100 and 1000 gmL-1) of the ethyl acetate and n-Hexane fraction of both the species were tested against Lemna minor and seeds of Silybummarianum L. A dose concentration of 1000 gmL-1 of ethyl acetate extract and n-Hexane fraction of Aspergillus species inhibited the growth of Lemna minor by 65 and 85% respectively; while the same dose concentration of ethyl acetate extract and n-Hexane fraction of Penicillium species inhibited the growth of Lemna minor by 56.66 and 30% respectively. In addition the same dose concentrations of the crude extract from both the species completely inhibited the germination of the seeds of Silybummarianum L. The results showed that extract of both fungi has potential agrochemical constituents which might inhibit the growth of Silybummarianum L. and Lemna minor. The results showed potent herbicidal activity against the test weed and therefore is suggested for further isolation and purification work of the active component(s).