Clarifying the Nomenclature in Microbial Weed Control

Abstract

Correct terminology is essential to promote the concepts of biological control. In the current literature there are many terms used interchangeably and often inappropriately. The purpose of this paper is to examine the overlapping and sometimes contradictory terms used in biological weed control and to suggest a standardized usage to clarify existing terms. This is achieved through a hierarchical classification of existing terms (bioherbicide, mycoherbicide) and the introduction of new terms such as biopestistat (an inundatively applied, living organism which reduces the competitive ability of the target weed to below a desired threshold) and microbially derived phytotoxin (secondary metabolite used in weed management practices as an analogue of a chemical herbicide). Keywords: TerminologyBiological Weed ControlBiopesticideBiopestistatBioherbicideMycoherbicideMycoherbistatBiorationalMicrobially Derived Phytotoxin