Phytochemicals from Genista ulicina as Natural Biocontrol Agents: Integrating In Vitro and In Silico Approaches for Sustainable Crop Protection

The development of sustainable alternatives to synthetic pesticides has become essential due to their negative impacts on the environment, biodiversity, and public health. This study explores the biocontrol potential of Genista ulicina, a Mediterranean plant species, as a source of bioactive phytochemicals.

Crude extracts were obtained from both the roots and aerial parts of G. ulicina and analyzed using gas chromatography mass spectrometry (GC-MS) to identify their major phytochemical constituents. These extracts were tested for antifungal activity against three economically important phytopathogenic fungi: Fusarium oxysporum, Alternaria alternata, and Botrytis cinerea. In parallel, phytotoxic activity was evaluated on two common weed species: Euphorbia peplus L. and Oxalis corniculata L.

To gain further insights into the herbicidal mechanisms, in silico molecular docking analyses were conducted targeting three key plant enzymes: acetohydroxyacid synthase (AHAS), 4-hydroxyphenylpyruvate dioxygenase (HPPD), and protoporphyrinogen oxidase (PPO). Several identified compounds, such as linolelaidic acid methyl ester, 1-monolinolein, stearic acid, and palmitic acid derivatives, exhibited favorable binding affinities and interaction patterns compared to reference herbicide ligands.

The integration of in vitro bioassays within silico modeling demonstrates the potential of G. ulicina phytochemicals as natural biocontrol agents with dual antifungal and herbicidal effects. These findings contribute to the development of eco-friendly, plant-based crop protection solutions and align with current goals in sustainable agriculture and integrated pest management.