Formulation of a bioherbicide with metabolites from Phoma sp.

Weeds are one of the main problems faced by horticulturists, which are responsible for significant losses in many vegetable crops. The utilization of microbial bioproducts are an efficient alternative to weeds control. Aiming at replacing synthetic herbicides by bioherbicides and looking for strategies which are less aggressive to the environment, this work provides a bioproduct formulated with metabolites produced by Phoma sp. with herbicidal activity against bioindicated species of plants and weeds. Formulations containing a cells-free or spores-free culture filtrate, palm oil, Span (R) 80 and Tween (R) 80 were evaluated in order to increase the phytotoxicity. The best formulation contained 2.8% (w/v) surfactant (Span (R) 80 and Tween (R) 80), 8.2% (w/v) oil concentration and hydrophilic-lipophilic balance of 12.8. Combining adjuvants with culture filtrate of Phoma sp. showed phytotoxic efficiency against Bidens pilosa, Amarandats retrofiexus and Conyza canadensis.