Weed Control Efficacy and Crop-Weed Selectivity of a New Bioherbicide WeedLock

Abstract

Plant-based bioherbicides could be an effective alternative to current chemical herbicides for sustainable agriculture. Therefore, this research evaluated the weed control efficacy and crop-weed selectivity of the new plant-derived bioherbicide WeedLock compared to commercial herbicides in glasshouse and field conditions. In the glasshouse, the herbicides applied were WeedLock (672.75, 1345.50, 2691.00 L ha−1), glyphosate isopropyl-amine, and glufosinate-ammonium (1, 2, 4 L ha−1), over the untreated (control) on six weeds and four crops. In the field trial, typical weeds were allowed to grow at a uniform density across plots (2.5 × 2.5 m), and WeedLock (1345.50, 2691.00 L ha−1), glyphosate isopropyl-amine, and glufosinate-ammonium (2, 4 L ha−1) were applied along with untreated plot (control). A randomized complete block design was set with four replications for glasshouse and field experiments. WeedLock at 1345.50 L ha−1 showed efficacy similar to glyphosate isopropyl-amine and glufosinate-ammonium at 2 L ha−1 for Ageratum conyzoides L. in the glasshouse. Applied herbicides killed all tested crops except Zea mays L. at 1345.50 L ha−1 (WeedLock). WeedLock showed more than 50% efficacy at 35 days after spray, while 65% was produced by glyphosate isopropyl-amine and glufosinate-ammonium compared to the untreated plot (control). WeedLock has excellent potential to control weeds in both glasshouse and field conditions and showed a non-selective character.

Using Remote Sensing and an Unmanned Aerial System for Weed Management in Agricultural Crops: A Review

“…Furthermore, the youngest generations need to be alert to the climate's effect on weeds from time-to-time. The new weeds will compete with the existing plants and cooperation is required between farm managers, researchers, and local people to improve the weed problem [108,109].…”

Physiological and biochemical responses of selected weed and crop species to the plant-based bioherbicide WeedLock

“…Concerns over these issues have prompted the interest in exploring alternative weed management strategies using natural products for better sustainability 37 , 38 . Our previous work has demonstrated that WeedLock is a promising novel bioherbicide with an excellent weed control efficacy under both glasshouse and field conditions 39 . In this study, the physiological and biochemical changes in A. conyzoides , E. indica , Z. mays , and A. gangeticus following WeedLock exposure at different time points were investigated as a continuation to our previous work.…”

Modern Approaches for the Development of New Herbicides Based on Natural Compounds

“…The “Marrone BioInnovations” company tested >12,000 microorganisms and prepared three BCHs for registration [ 168 ]. It has been reported that more than ten formulations based on plant extracts and essential oils were tested, but they have not been widely used [ 116 , 169 ]. The experimental BCH formulation containing tenuazonic acid as AI was successfully evaluated in the field against the main weeds of cotton and tobacco [ 170 ].…”