Chenopodium album is considered one of the most important weeds adversely affecting
agricultural production due to its highly competitive influence on field crops. Chemical
herbicides have increased the efficiency of farming, but recently problems of herbicideresistant
weed populations and herbicide residues in soil, water, food products and effects
on non-target organisms have increased, consequently, other methods of control of weeds
by using specific fungi as herbicides have been suggested. The purpose of this research was
to evaluate the biological control of the weed Chenopodium album by the fungus Ascochyta
caulina. Some of the factors which control dormancy and germination of Chenopodium
album seeds have been investigated to understand better the weed population dynamics.
The results showed that seeds from two populations (UK and Libya) differ in their response
to factors such as light, chilling, and burying in soil. This could have implications for
effective control of the weed in different regions.
Two formulations of mycoherbicides (Tween 80 and Gelatine based applications) were
tested in the laboratory, and showed promise in reducing growth of the weed, especially the
formula of Tween 80. There was extensive shoot fresh and dry weight reduction of
inoculated Chenopodium album, as well as reduced root growth. Highest disease severity
rates were observed on plants in the first three week of life. A field trial revealed similar
results but less disease severity was observed, possibly because of dry weather. However, it
was concluded that the fungus Ascochyta caulina is a potentially useful biological control
agent but many factors still can be modified in relation to application of the mycoherbicide
to increase its efficacy. / Libyan Government
| Identifer | oai:union.ndltd.org:BRADFORD/oai:bradscholars.brad.ac.uk:10454/4431 |
| Date | January 2010 |
| Creators | Asshleb, Almabrouk A. |
| Contributors | Hale, William H.G., Donahue, Randolph E. |
| Publisher | University of Bradford, Division of Archaeological, Geographical and Environmental Sciences |
| Source Sets | Bradford Scholars |
| Language | English |
| Detected Language | English |
| Type | Thesis, doctoral, PhD |
| Rights | <a rel="license" href="http://creativecommons.org/licenses/by-nc-nd/3.0/"><img alt="Creative Commons License" style="border-width:0" src="http://i.creativecommons.org/l/by-nc-nd/3.0/88x31.png" /></a><br />The University of Bradford theses are licenced under a <a rel="license" href="http://creativecommons.org/licenses/by-nc-nd/3.0/">Creative Commons Licence</a>. |
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