Weedicidal Activity of Trichoderma harizianum against Some Weeds of Mash (Vigna mungo L.)

Abstract

Mash bean (Vigna mungo L.) is an important food crop of many areas of the world. It belongs to family Leguminoseae and is a dual season crop (cultivated in kharif and spring season both). It is an important source of food for humans and animals. Being a leguminous crop it also fixes the nitrogen of the environment and enhance the fertility of the land. Mash bean face many weeds that compete the crops due to lack of weed management knowledge and results into reduction of crop yield. Trianthema portulacastrum (W1) ( family Aizoaceae ), Amaranthus viridis (W2)(family Amaranthaceae ), Euphorbia hirta (W3) (family Euphorbiaceae ), Parthenium hysterophorus (W4)( family Asteraceae), and are some common weeds of mash. These weeds may affect the seed germination as well as the plant growth of mash crop. Chemical herbicides are commonly used to overcome the weeds of crops but they are hazardous for health. Some common herbicides are fenoxaprop-P-ethyl, clodinafop-propargyl + safener cloquintocet, mesosulfuron-methyl, triallate, difenzoquat, diclofop, and imazamethabenz. These causes damage to the main crop as well along with weeds. Biologist are in the search of biological control instead of chemicals. Trichoderma harzianum as an alternative weedicidal agent against four major weeds. In the present research work a beneficial fungus Trichoderma harzianum along with weeds extracts applied on the mash seeds in the laboratory bioassay. Positive weed treatments (+0.5 to +3) significantly enhanced germination percentages (up to 100%), seedling length (up to 16.25 cm), fresh weight (up to 7 g), and dry weight (up to 1.2 g) compared to negative treatments (-0.5 to -3) and controls. These results indicate that, in the absence of live competition, decomposed weed material can act as a biostimulant, likely by improving nutrient availability and substrate conditions. While T. harzianum's direct weedicidal activity requires further elucidation.