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Fenu-Green: A Novel Eco-friendly Bioherbicide Developed Using an Improved Custom-Built Sonicator

CSEF · 2023 Plant Biology Honorable_mention Award

Gupta Arnav · 7

Overview

Weeds are the most expensive category of agricultural pests and can cause significant reduction in crop yield and even lead to crop failure. Weeds cost thirty-three billion dollars in lost crop production annually in the USA. Excessive usage of conventional herbicides has led to herbicide resistance in weeds. Conventional herbicides also cause potential harm to human health and our environment. Bioherbicides are used as an alternative, sustainable and safe weed control method, and they can also be used in organic farming. Italian ryegrass is a problematic weed along roadsides and in cereal, vegetable, row and grass seed crops in the United States. The use of conventional herbicides and has led to multiple herbicide resistance in this weed species. In 2021 a study was conducted using a novel bioherbicide formulation, Fenu-green, made from Fenugreek (Trigonella foenum-graecum) and Black Cardamom (Amomum subulatum) seeds, and tested at various dosage rates as a pre-emergent bioherbicide. The results showed that the 20% Fenu-green formulation can effectively control grasses and broadleaf weeds. In 2022, Fenu-greens effectivity was tested on Italian ryegrass (Lolium multiflorum) seeds. An improved custom built sonicator with high ultrasonic frequency and power was constructed to optimize the yield of bioactive compounds from fenugreek and black cardamom seeds. Italian ryegrass seeds were sown in pots filled with Miracle-gro potting soil. 20% Fenu-green formulation was applied as a pre-emergent bioherbicide at various days after sowing seeds. The results showed the number of Italian ryegrass plants survived were significantly lower in the treatment pots compared to control pots. Application of 20% Fenu-Green decreased the Italian ryegrass population by 52.2%. The results support the hypothesis that Fenu-Green can effectively control Italian ryegrass weed populations when used as a pre-emergent bioherbicide. Fenu-Green bioherbicide may be used as a safe, sustainable and alternative method of weed control, and in integrated weed management.

Source coverage

This record comes from a published award list, not a complete project archive. Its abstract comes from CSEF's public project showcase as archived by the Internet Archive before judging (https://web.archive.org/web/20230401224130/https://ca-csef.zfairs.com/showcase/ShowcaseInfo?f=838e60b7-ea75-46e8-865c-fde4864244b3); the version presented may differ.

Awards (1)

  • Category Award: HM

Competition history

  • CSEF 2023 Plant Biology · Entry J1803

Resources

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