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Bioherbicide Development for Weed Control

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A special issue of Plants (ISSN 2223-7747). This special issue belongs to the section "Plant Protection and Biotic Interactions".

Deadline for manuscript submissions: closed (20 July 2023) | Viewed by 18379

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Dr. Shiguo Chen

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College of Life Sciences, Nanjing Agricultural University, Nanjing, China
Interests: natural product; plant immune inducer; bioherbicide; plant–microbe interactions; stress signaling
Special Issues, Collections and Topics in MDPI journals

Special Issue Information

Dear Colleagues,

Bioherbicides are shedding new light on weed control in an economical and safe manner. The origins of most bioherbicides are living microorganisms including funguses, bacteria, and viruses (microbial herbicides) and naturally occurring products. So far, fifteen bioherbicides based on living microorganisms have been registered for use globally. However, only two are commercially available out of all registered bioherbicides. Such a status of microbial herbicides is due to their vulnerabilities that consist of narrow host range and low adaptability to slight fluctuations of environmental temperature and moisture conditions in the field. The exploration of natural products is another important approach of bioherbicide development. Approximately 200,000 secondary metabolites from plants and microorganisms have been identified. These natural products with high structural diversity and broad biological activity are considered to be an important resource for the development of new bioherbicides. However, there are also great challenges to efficiently discover target compounds with excellent herbicidal activity from huge amounts of natural products, as well as to clarify their mode of action and develop effective formulations. Advances in life and material sciences, especially the development of genetic engineering, genomics, proteomics, metabolomics, and nano techniques, will revolutionize these problems. Such research is helpful to understand pathogen–weed interactions and action mechanism of metabolites, improve virulence of pathogens and their adaptability to environmental variables, and develop good formulations and application methods. The aim of this Special Issue is to promote bioherbicide development through the publication of original research articles and reviews of research, theory, and technology.

Prof. Dr. Shiguo Chen
Guest Editor

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Keywords

microbial herbicides
natural products
herbicidal activity
mode of action
pathogen–weed interactions
formulation development
application techniques and methods

Published Papers (10 papers)

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Research

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12 pages, 3254 KiB

Open AccessArticle

Physiological and Biochemical Responses of Sagittaria trifolia L. to Phytotoxic Ethyl Acetate Fungal Extract from Curvularia lunata Strain CLST-01

by Kai Wang, Chang Xu, Dongyang Li and Zumin Gu

Plants 2023, 12(9), 1758; https://doi.org/10.3390/plants12091758 - 25 Apr 2023

Cited by 1 | Viewed by 971

Abstract

Curvularia lunata (No. CLST-01), a fungal pathogen isolated from the threeleaf arrowhead (Sagittaria trifolia L.), has been proposed as a potential mycoherbicide for grass weeds. This paper investigated the physiological and biochemical effects of CLST-01 phytotoxic ethyl acetate fungi extract on the leaves of the threeleaf arrowhead. The results showed that the ethyl acetate fungi extract from CLST-01 can accelerate damage to the cell membrane, increase the production of malondialdehyde, and damage the cellular structure, which could decrease the number of chloroplasts after 96 h treatments. In addition, the content of chlorophyll was reduced by 49.5%, and the net photosynthetic rate, stomatal conductance, and transpiration rate were inhibited. The rates of inhibition were 90.13%, 83.74%, and 79.31%, respectively, and the intercellular CO₂ concentration increased by 51.87% on Day 9 after treatment with a concentration of 200 μg/mL. In summary, the phytotoxic ethyl acetate fungal extract from C. lunata CLST-01 can inhibit the photosynthesis of the threeleaf arrowhead leaves, destroy the ultrastructure of leaves, and affect the growth of this invasive weed. Therefore, it has the potential to be developed into a mycoherbicide for weed control in crops as a natural photosynthetic inhibitor. Full article

(This article belongs to the Special Issue Bioherbicide Development for Weed Control)

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18 pages, 5052 KiB

Open AccessArticle

Effects of Mycotoxin Fumagillin, Mevastatin, Radicicol, and Wortmannin on Photosynthesis of Chlamydomonas reinhardtii

by Jiale Shi, Mengyun Jiang, He Wang, Zhi Luo, Yanjing Guo, Ying Chen, Xiaoxi Zhao, Sheng Qiang, Reto Jörg Strasser, Hazem M. Kalaji and Shiguo Chen

Plants 2023, 12(3), 665; https://doi.org/10.3390/plants12030665 - 02 Feb 2023

Cited by 1 | Viewed by 1411

Abstract

Mycotoxins are one of the most important sources for the discovery of new pesticides and drugs because of their chemical structural diversity and fascinating bioactivity as well as unique novel targets. Here, the effects of four mycotoxins, fumagillin, mevastatin, radicicol, and wortmannin, on photosynthesis were investigated to identify their precise sites of action on the photosynthetic apparatus of Chlamydomonas reinhardtii. Our results showed that these four mycotoxins have multiple targets, acting mainly on photosystem II (PSII). Their mode of action is similar to that of diuron, inhibiting electron flow beyond the primary quinone electron acceptor (Q_A) by binding to the secondary quinone electron acceptor (Q_B) site of the D1 protein, thereby affecting photosynthesis. The results of PSII oxygen evolution rate and chlorophyll (Chl) a fluorescence imaging suggested that fumagillin strongly inhibited overall PSII activity; the other three toxins also exhibited a negative influence at the high concentration. Chl a fluorescence kinetics and the JIP test showed that the inhibition of electron transport beyond Q_A was the most significant feature of the four mycotoxins. Fumagillin decreased the rate of O₂ evolution by interrupting electron transfer on the PSII acceptor side, and had multiple negative effects on the primary photochemical reaction and PSII antenna size. Mevastatin caused a decrease in photosynthetic activity, mainly due to the inhibition of electron transport. Both radicicol and wortmannin decreased photosynthetic efficiency, mainly by inhibiting the electron transport efficiency of the PSII acceptor side and the activity of the PSII reaction centers. In addition, radicicol reduced the primary photochemical reaction efficiency and antenna size. The simulated molecular model of the four mycotoxins’ binding to C. reinhardtii D1 protein indicated that the residue D1-Phe265 is their common site at the Q_B site. This is a novel target site different from those of commercial PSII herbicides. Thus, the interesting effects of the four mycotoxins on PSII suggested that they provide new ideas for the design of novel and efficient herbicide molecules. Full article

(This article belongs to the Special Issue Bioherbicide Development for Weed Control)

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14 pages, 1591 KiB

Open AccessArticle

Colletotrichum echinochloae: A Potential Bioherbicide Agent for Control of Barnyardgrass (Echinochloa crus-galli (L.) Beauv.)

by Qiongnan Gu, Shihai Chu, Qichao Huang, Anan Chen, Lin Li and Ruhai Li

Plants 2023, 12(3), 421; https://doi.org/10.3390/plants12030421 - 17 Jan 2023

Cited by 3 | Viewed by 2053

Abstract

Barnyardgrass (Echinochloa crus-galli (L.) Beauv.) is one of the most troublesome weeds in transplanted and direct-seeded rice worldwide. To develop a strategy for the biocontrol of barnyardgrass, fungal isolates were recovered from barnyardgrass plants that exhibited signs of necrosis and wilt. An isolate B-48 with a high level of pathogenicity to barnyardgrass was identified after pathogenicity tests. From cultural and DNA sequence data, this strain was identified as Colletotrichum echinochloae. The inoculation of the barnyardgrass plant with C. echinochloae caused a significant reduction in fresh weight. The isolate B-48 was highly pathogenic to barnyardgrass at the three- to four-leaf stages. When inoculated at a concentration of 1 × 10⁷ spores/mL, barnyardgrass could achieve a reduction in fresh weight of more than 50%. This strain was safe for rice and most plant species. The results of this study indicated that this strain could be a potential mycoherbicide for barnyardgrass control in paddy fields in the future. Full article

(This article belongs to the Special Issue Bioherbicide Development for Weed Control)

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11 pages, 1387 KiB

Open AccessArticle

Secondary Metabolites from Aspergillus sparsus NBERC_28952 and Their Herbicidal Activities

by Zhaoyuan Wu, Fang Liu, Shaoyong Ke, Zhigang Zhang, Hongtao Hu, Wei Fang, Shaoyujia Xiao, Yani Zhang, Yueying Wang and Kaimei Wang

Plants 2023, 12(1), 203; https://doi.org/10.3390/plants12010203 - 03 Jan 2023

Cited by 3 | Viewed by 1537

Abstract

Fungi have been used in the production of a wide range of biologically active metabolites, including potent herbicides. In the search for pesticides of natural origin, Aspergillus sparsus NBERC_28952, a fungal strain with herbicidal activity, was obtained. Chemical study of secondary metabolites from NBERC_28952 resulted in the isolation of three new asperugin analogues, named Aspersparin A–C (2–4), and a new azaphilone derivative, named Aspersparin D (5), together with two known compounds, Asperugin B (1) and sydonic acid (6). The structures of these compounds were elucidated based on extensive spectroscopic data and single-crystal X-ray diffraction analysis. All of the isolated compounds were evaluated for their herbicidal activities on seedlings of Echinochloa crusgalli and Amaranthus retroflexus through Petri dish bioassays. Among them, compounds 5 and 6 exhibited moderate inhibitory activities against the growth of the roots and shoots of E. crusgalli seedlings in a dose-dependent manner, while 6 showed obvious inhibitory effect on seedlings of A. retroflexus, with an inhibitory rate of 78.34% at a concentration of 200 μg/mL. These herbicidal metabolites represent a new source of compounds to control weeds. Full article

(This article belongs to the Special Issue Bioherbicide Development for Weed Control)

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15 pages, 3201 KiB

Open AccessArticle

Effect of Mycotoxin Cytochalasin A on Photosystem II in Ageratina adenophora

by Mengyun Jiang, Qian Yang, He Wang, Zhi Luo, Yanjing Guo, Jiale Shi, Xiaoxiong Wang, Sheng Qiang, Reto Jörg Strasser and Shiguo Chen

Plants 2022, 11(20), 2797; https://doi.org/10.3390/plants11202797 - 21 Oct 2022

Cited by 5 | Viewed by 1435

Abstract

Biological herbicides have received much attention due to their abundant resources, low development cost, unique targets and environmental friendliness. This study reveals some interesting effects of mycotoxin cytochalasin A (CA) on photosystem II (PSII). Our results suggested that CA causes leaf lesions on Ageratina adenophora due to its multiple effects on PSII. At a half-inhibitory concentration of 58.5 μΜ (I₅₀, 58.5 μΜ), the rate of O₂ evolution of PSII was significantly inhibited by CA. This indicates that CA possesses excellent phytotoxicity and exhibits potential herbicidal activity. Based on the increase in the J-step of the chlorophyll fluorescence rise OJIP curve and the analysis of some JIP-test parameters, similar to the classical herbicide diuron, CA interrupted PSII electron transfer beyond Q_A at the acceptor side, leading to damage to the PSII antenna structure and inactivation of reaction centers. Molecular docking model of CA and D1 protein of A. adenophora further suggests that CA directly targets the Q_B site of D1 protein. The potential hydrogen bonds are formed between CA and residues D1-His215, D1-Ala263 and D1-Ser264, respectively. The binding of CA to residue D1-Ala263 is novel. Thus, CA is a new natural PSII inhibitor. These results clarify the mode of action of CA in photosynthesis, providing valuable information and potential implications for the design of novel bioherbicides. Full article

(This article belongs to the Special Issue Bioherbicide Development for Weed Control)

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12 pages, 273 KiB

Open AccessArticle

Improved Bioherbicidal Efficacy of Bipolaris eleusines through Herbicide Addition on Weed Control in Paddy Rice

by Jianping Zhang, Guifang Duan, Shuang Yang, Liuqing Yu, Yongliang Lu, Wei Tang and Yongjie Yang

Plants 2022, 11(19), 2659; https://doi.org/10.3390/plants11192659 - 10 Oct 2022

Cited by 2 | Viewed by 1330

Abstract

Bipolaris eleusines was mixed with herbicides to improve the control of barnyardgrass (Echinochloa crus-galli), a noxious weed in rice fields. The compatibility of B. eleusines with herbicides was evaluated for toxic effects on spore germination and mycelium growth in vitro tests, and varied effects were observed with different chemical products. Briefly, 25 g/L penoxsulam OD plus 10% bensulfuron-methyl WP were much more compatible with B. eleusines, and there was no inhibition of spore germination but the promotion of mycelium growth of B. eleusines at all treatment rates. Under greenhouse conditions, the coefficient of the specificity of B. eleusines conidial agent was determined as 3.91, closer to the herbicidal control of 2.89, showing it is highly specific between rice and barnyardgrass. Field experiments in 2011 and 2012 showed that B. eleusines conidial agent displayed good activity on barnyardgrass, monochoria [Monochoria vaginalis (Burm.f.) Presl. Ex Kunth.], and small-flower umbrella sedge (Cyperus difformis L.) and had no negative impact on the rice plant. It also reduced the loss of rice yield when compared with the non-treated control and could make this pathogen a conidial agent for commercial bioherbicidal development in the future. Full article

(This article belongs to the Special Issue Bioherbicide Development for Weed Control)

15 pages, 2162 KiB

Open AccessArticle

Interference of Dihydrocoumarin with Hormone Transduction and Phenylpropanoid Biosynthesis Inhibits Barnyardgrass (Echinochloa crus-galli) Root Growth

by Haona Yang, Shangfeng Zhou, Lamei Wu and Lifeng Wang

Plants 2022, 11(19), 2505; https://doi.org/10.3390/plants11192505 - 26 Sep 2022

Cited by 3 | Viewed by 1464

Abstract

Botanical compounds with herbicidal activity exhibit safety, low toxicity, and low chances of herbicide resistance development in plants. They have widespread applications in green agricultural production and the development of organic agriculture. In the present study, dihydrocoumarin showed potential as a botanical herbicide, and its phenotypic characteristics and mechanism of action were studied in barnyardgrass [Echinochloa crus-galli (L.) P.Beauv.] seedlings. The results indicated that dihydrocoumarin inhibited the growth of barnyardgrass without causing significant inhibition of rice seedling growth at concentrations ranging between 0.5 and 1.0 g/L. Additionally, dihydrocoumarin treatment could cause oxidative stress in barnyardgrass, disrupt the cell membrane, and reduce the root cell activity, resulting in root cell death. Transcriptomic analyses revealed that dihydrocoumarin could inhibit barnyardgrass normal growth by affecting the signal transduction of plant hormones. The results showed significant differential expression of plant hormone signal transduction genes in barnyardgrass. Additionally, dihydrocoumarin interfered with the expression of numerous phenylpropanoid biosynthesis genes in barnyardgrass that affect the production of various vital metabolites. We speculate that the barnyardgrass growth was suppressed by the interaction among hormones and phenylpropanoid biosynthesis genes, indicating that dihydrocoumarin can be applied as a bioherbicide to control barnyardgrass growth in rice transplanting fields. Full article

(This article belongs to the Special Issue Bioherbicide Development for Weed Control)

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18 pages, 381 KiB

Open AccessEditor’s ChoiceArticle

Achievements, Developments and Future Challenges in the Field of Bioherbicides for Weed Control: A Global Review

by Jason Roberts, Singarayer Florentine, W. G. Dilantha Fernando and Kushan U. Tennakoon

Plants 2022, 11(17), 2242; https://doi.org/10.3390/plants11172242 - 29 Aug 2022

Cited by 29 | Viewed by 3452

Abstract

The intrusion of weeds into fertile areas has resulted in significant global economic and environmental impacts on agricultural production systems and native ecosystems, hence without ongoing and repeated management actions, the maintenance or restoration of these systems will become increasingly challenging. The establishment of herbicide resistance in many species and unwanted pollution caused by synthetic herbicides has ushered in the need for alternative, eco-friendly sustainable management strategies, such as the use of bioherbicides. Of the array of bioherbicides currently available, the most successful products appear to be sourced from fungi (mycoherbicides), with at least 16 products being developed for commercial use globally. Over the last few decades, bioherbicides sourced from bacteria and plant extracts (such as allelochemicals and essential oils), together with viruses, have also shown marked success in controlling various weeds. Despite this encouraging trend, ongoing research is still required for these compounds to be economically viable and successful in the long term. It is apparent that more focused research is required for (i) the improvement of the commercialisation processes, including the cost-effectiveness and scale of production of these materials; (ii) the discovery of new production sources, such as bacteria, fungi, plants or viruses and (iii) the understanding of the environmental influence on the efficacy of these compounds, such as atmospheric CO₂, humidity, soil water stress, temperature and UV radiation. Full article

(This article belongs to the Special Issue Bioherbicide Development for Weed Control)

Review

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24 pages, 573 KiB

Open AccessReview

Plant-Associated Bacteria as Sources for the Development of Bioherbicides

by Wei Fang, Fang Liu, Zhaoyuan Wu, Zhigang Zhang and Kaimei Wang

Plants 2022, 11(23), 3404; https://doi.org/10.3390/plants11233404 - 06 Dec 2022

Cited by 2 | Viewed by 1655

Abstract

Weeds cause significant yield losses in crop production and influence the health of animals and humans, with some exotic weeds even leading to ecological crises. Weed control mainly relies on the application of chemical herbicides, but their adverse influences on the environment and food safety are a significant concern. Much effort has been put into using microbes as bioherbicides for weed control. As plant-associated bacteria (PAB), they are widely present in the rhizophere, inside crops or weeds, or as pathogens of weeds. Many species of PAB inhibit the seed germination and growth of weeds through the production of phytotoxic metabolites, auxins, hydrogen cyanide, etc. The performance of PAB herbicides is influenced by environmental factors, formulation type, surfactants, additives, application methods, and cropping measures, etc. These factors might explain the inconsistencies between field performance and in vitro screening results, but this remains to be clarified. Successful bioherbicides must be specific to the target weeds or the coinciding weeds. Detailed studies, regarding factors such as the formulation, application techniques, and combination with cultivation measures, should be carried out to maximize the performance of PAB-based bioherbicides. Full article

(This article belongs to the Special Issue Bioherbicide Development for Weed Control)

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Other

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11 pages, 1131 KiB

Open AccessPerspective

A Mini Review on Natural Safeners: Chemistry, Uses, Modes of Action, and Limitations

by Xile Deng

Plants 2022, 11(24), 3509; https://doi.org/10.3390/plants11243509 - 14 Dec 2022

Cited by 2 | Viewed by 1664

Abstract

Herbicide injury is a common problem during the application of herbicides in practice. However, applying herbicide safeners can avoid herbicide damage. Safeners selectively protect crops against herbicide injury without affecting the biological activity of herbicides against the target weeds. However, after long-term application, commercial safeners were found to pose risks to the agricultural ecological environment. Natural safeners are endogenous compounds from animals, plants, and microbes, with unique structures and are relatively environment-friendly, and thus can address the potential risks of commercial safeners. This paper summarizes the current progress of the discovery methods, structures, uses, and modes of action of natural safeners. This study also concludes the limitations of natural safeners and prospects the future research directions, offering guidance for the practical application of natural safeners to prevent herbicide injury. This study will also guide the research and development of corresponding products. Full article

(This article belongs to the Special Issue Bioherbicide Development for Weed Control)

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