Screening,identification, and observation of infection process of a herbicidal fungal strain HY-02

This study clarified the herbicidal activity, crop safety, classification status, and infection process of herbicidal strain HY-02, and laid a foundation for its development and utilization. Strain HY-02 was isolated from the leaves of Rumex patientia L. by the tissue isolation method. The pathogenicity of the strain to six broadleaf weeds and the safety for four common crops were determined by spray inoculation. The taxonomic status of HY-02 was determined by morphology and molecular biology, and the infection process was confirmed by scanning electron microscopy. In vitro leaf experiments showed that strain HY-02 was pathogenic to six broadleaf weeds, Polygonum aviculare L., Elsholtzia densa Benth., Chenopodium album L., Polygonum lapathifolium L., Amaranthus retroflexus L., and Malva verticillata L. The pot experiment of weeds found that the pathogenicity rates for P. aviculare, E. densa, C. album, P. lapathifolium, A. retroflexus, and M. verticillata were 100.00%, 94.44%, 95.24%, 83.33%, 73.02%, and 40.00%, respectively. Strain HY-02 seemed safe for four crops (Hordeum vulgare L., Triticum aestivum L., Vicia faba L., and Pisum sativum L.), but not for Brassica napus L. The strain was identified as Alternaria alternata (Fries) Keissler. Scanning electron microscope observations showed that hyphae invaded leaf tissues from the stomata by destroying epidermal cells. Hyphae rapidly grew and invaded living tissues by obtaining nutrients from the tissues, destroying the whole leaf tissues, and finally forming reticular lesions. Therefore, the HY-02 strain has the potential to be developed into microbial biocontrol agents for weed control.