Journal of Research in Weed Science

Abstract Striga hermonthica is widespread in several regions of Burkina Faso. It attacks crops of agronomic interest, causing losses ranging from 20 to 100% of grain yield in sorghum varieties. This study carried out at the weed science laboratory from October 2022 to February 2023 aims to identify sorghum varieties resistant to Striga hermonthica and local plants that inhibit or stimulate its germination. Fifteen varieties of sorghum has been evaluated for their germination stimulant capacity production using the agar gel method. The roots of two seedlings of each variety were buried in the opposite position in the agar medium containing Striga seeds. The effect of nine local plants on Striga hermonthica seeds germination has been evaluated by preparing 10% aqueous extract for each plant by macerating a mass of 10 g of powder in 100 ml of sterile distilled water. The inhibitory effect was estimated by conditioning the Striga hermonthica seeds during 14 days in each of the plant aqueous extracts and the stimulatory effect by the application of aqueous extracts on the Striga hermonthica seeds. The results revealed Rsoe 38 (MGD=0.74cm), Icsv 1049 (MGD = 0.74cm), Ouédzouré (MGD = 0.81cm), Grinkan (MGD = 0.85cm), Rsoe 15(MGD = 0.85cm) and B 35 (MGD = 0.97cm) as resistant to Striga hermonthica germination. Parkia biglobosa and Tephrosia purpurea have proved effective in inhibition while Andira inermis and Albizia zygia stimulate it. The promotion of resistant sorghum varieties and plants with inhibitory or stimulatory effects could be an important asset for the biological control of Striga hermonthica in the most infested areas.

Abstract Tea is regarded as one of the most significant and affordable beverages consumed in more than 65 nations throughout the world. Its productivity is at risk because of the various pests infecting the tea plants. Among these, Mite pests in tea are highly damaging, tenacious, and difficult to eradicate. Oligonychus coffeae or Red spider mites are the most prevalent causing huge loss to the tea industry. The control measures using chemical pesticides have a negative impact on the quality of tea and make it unfit for human consumption. In this context, floral diversity can be explored for the effective control of pests. The present study envisages the comparative analysis of pesticidal efficacy of two common weeds in the tea garden of the Terai and Dooars region of North Bengal, India.The aqueous extracts of Justicia adhatoda and Polygonum hydropiper (L.) as biocide employed in this study demonstrated substantial acaricidal and oviposition deterrent action against the tea Red Spider Mite Oligonychus coffeae after 48 hours of application. The results of this study showed that aqueous extracts of the above-mentioned plans are promising biocontrol agents against the tea red spider mite Oligonychus coffeae. This aqueous extract may have the potential to be an effective acaricide in the future at a reasonably low cost.

Abstract Parthenium hysterophorus, one of the world’s most invasive weeds, is accountable for enormous losses to the biodiversity, agriculture, and even the health of human beings and animals. It is regarded as immensely prolific weed and most awful in crop production which devastated all the useful crops. However, various studies revealed that Parthenium can be used in agriculture in different form. In agriculture, it can be used as biopesticides, green manure, compost, soil amendment values, and vermi composting. Being a competitive weed, it consumes more and more nutrients from the soil and hence, the plant is rich in nutrients. During premature stage, i.e. before flowering, the plant is uprooted from field and burying it in the soil produces higher quality organic manure. Green manure and compost used improves the physical, chemical and biological properties of soil, increased the yield of agricultural crops. Numerous studies show that it has also insecticidal and pesticidal properties to control several insect pests in agricultural crops. This review briefly discusses the application of Parthenium in agriculture concluded by various researchers.