ABSTRACT
The purpose behind this study was to evaluate the antibiotic and bio-herbicidal potential of extracts of Abutilon indicum and Prosopis juliflora. The effects of extracts were assayed for control of growth and germination of invasive weed Parthenium hysterophorus and as antibacterial agent against Xanthomonas axonopodis pv. punicae. Plant extracts were tested separately for germination of Parthenium seeds and as an antibacterial agent against Xanthomonas axonopodis pv. punicae. Plant extracts have shown a significant reduction in total germination percentage (GP), germination index (GI), germination energy (GE), speed of emergence (SE) and seedling vigor index (SVI) of P. hysterophorus, while the antibacterial activity was tested by well diffusion assay, minimum inhibitory concentration (MIC) and minimum bactericidal concentration (MBC), and the antibiotic activity by both plant extracts was recorded.
Result revealed that P. juliflora has strong phytotoxic and antibiotic properties as compared with A. indicum. The highest Zone of Inhibition (ZOI) was shown by P. juliflora while the lowest ZOI was shown by A. indicum. The results infer that the extracts of P. juliflora and Acacia arabica are highly sensitive against the Xanthomonas axonopodis pv. punicae. Plant extracts exhibited antibacterial activity with a potential to be used in the management of many plant diseases as an alternative to chemical antibiotics. Further 12phytochemical analysis is required to identify the bioactive compounds responsible for antibacterial activity. Isolation and characterization of those phytotoxic substances from these plants may act as a tool for new natural, biodegradable herbicide development to manage invasive weeds like P. hysterophorus.
