Abstract

The study surveyed and collected diseased specimens of asyang [Mikania cordata (Burm. F.) B. L. Robinson] from various places of Leyte and Southern Leyte; isolated and identified the promising fungal pathogens (technically known as mycoherbicide) for the control of asyang; and determined the host range of the promising mycoherbicides.
Seventeen fungal isolates were found pathogenic to asyang with 4-9 days incubation period. The isolates from the towns of Capoocan (Cap), Matalom (Mat-2) and Tomas Oppus (TO) consistently caused significantly higher number of lesions per square leaf centimeter of leaf surface causing early death of leaves than the other isolates. Based on lesion and conidial characteristics, Cap isolate was identified as Cercospora mikaniacola Stevens while Mat-2 and TO isolates as Curvularia pallescens Ellis. Moreover, the promising isolates were also found non-pathogenic to different host plants tested.

Keywords : asyang, Mikania cordata, biological weed control, Cercospora mikaniacola, Curvularia pallescens, mycoherbicides