Speakers - AFHWC2025

Abstract

Development of new sustainable pesticides represents a real challenge for researchers due to environmental issues and public health aspects. In fact, the overuse of chemical pesticides has led to environmental damage, loss of biodiversity, and pesticide-resistant pests. In a framework characterized by the necessity of new sustainable agricultural practices, this study investigates Genista ulicina as producer of bioactive compounds for potential application as eco-friendly biopesticides.
First, both roots and aerial parts of G. ulicina have been extracted and the main compounds in the crude extracts have been identified via GC-MS. Subsequently, the crude extracts have been submitted to antifungal and phytotoxic assays. In particular, the antifungal effects have been evaluated on three common phytopathogenic fungi: Fusarium oxysporum, Alternaria alternata, and Botrytis cinerea, while phytotoxic activity has been evaluated on two weed species: Euphorbia peplus L. and Oxalis corniculata L.
Further insights on the herbicidal potential of phytochemical compounds produced by G. ulicina derived from in silico investigations. In particular, molecular docking analyses were performed against three key enzymes involved in essential plant metabolic pathways: acetohydroxyacid synthase (AHAS), 4-hydroxyphenylpyruvate dioxygenase (HPPD), and protoporphyrinogen oxidase (PPO). Among the compounds identified, linolelaidic acid methyl ester, 1-monolinolein, stearic acid, and palmitic acid derivatives showed promising binding affinities and favorable interaction patterns compared to reference ligands. These findings suggest that selected phytochemicals from Genista ulicina could act as potential inhibitors of key herbicide targets and serve as promising leads for the development of bio-based weed control agents.

Keywords: Genista ulicina; Phytochemical profiling; Antifungal activity; Phytotoxicity; Molecular docking; Biopesticides; Sustainable agriculture.