Powder containing biomolecules from Diaporthe schini for weed control

ABSTRACT

This study describes the use of spray drying technology to obtain a powder containing biomolecules with herbicidal activity produced by submerged fermentation using Diaporthe schini. The efficiency of the bioherbicide was tested for the post-emergence control of Bidens pilosa L., Amaranthus viridis L., Echinochloa crusgalli (L.) Beauv., and Lolium multiflorum Lam. In the first step, different additives were used and lactose was the most suitable one because it resulted in high herbicidal activity and weed suppression. In the second step, process variables were investigated, including inlet air temperature, drying air flow rate, and feed flow rate. The highest herbicidal activity was obtained with an inlet air temperature of 100°C, and air and feed flow rates of 1.4 m³/min and 0.22 L/h, respectively. Maximum herbicidal activities were 38, 45, 21 and 18%, while weed heights reduction were 69.0, 74.3, 20.4 and 24.8% for B. pilosa, A. viridis, E. crusgalli and L. multiflorum, respectively. The bioherbicide was effective to suppress weed growth and spray drying is a promising technology for the production of solid formulations of bioherbicides.

GRAPHICAL ABSTRACT

KEYWORDS:

• Bioherbicide
• crop production
• microorganism
• solid formulation
• submerged fermentation

Acknowledgments

The authors thank Coordination for the Improvement of Higher Education Personnel (CAPES) for the scholarships and the National Council of Technological and Scientific Development (CNPq) for financial support. G. L. Zabot (304882/2018-6) and M. A. Mazutti thank CNPq for the productivity grants.

Disclosure statement

No potential conflict of interest was reported by the author(s).

Additional information

Funding

This work was supported by Conselho Nacional de Desenvolvimento Científico e Tecnológico [grant number 304882/2018-6]; Coordenação de Aperfeiçoamento de Pessoal de Nível Superior [grant number 001].