Biological Control of Spreading Dayflower (Commelina diffusa) with the Fungal Pathogen Phoma commelinicola

Agronomy

Clyde D. Boyette²  Robert E. Hoagland¹  Kenneth C. Stetina² 

[1] USDA-ARS, Crop Production Systems Research Unit, Stoneville, MS 38776, USA; E-Mail:;USDA-ARS, Biological Control of Pests Research Unit, Stoneville, MS 38776, USA; E-Mail:

关键词: bioherbicide;    biocontrol;    dayflower;    fungal pathogen;    weed control;   

DOI  :  10.3390/agronomy5040519

来源: mdpi

【 摘 要 】

Greenhouse and field experiments showed that conidia of the fungal pathogen, Phoma commelinicola, exhibited bioherbicidal activity against spreading dayflower (Commelina diffusa) seedlings when applied at concentrations of 10⁶ to 10⁹ conidia·mL⁻¹. Greenhouse tests determined an optimal temperature for conidial germination of 25 °C–30 °C, and that sporulation occurred on several solid growth media. A dew period of ≥ 12 h was required to achieve 60% control of cotyledonary-first leaf growth stage seedlings when applications of 10⁸ conidia·mL⁻¹ were applied. Maximal control (80%) required longer dew periods (21 h) and 90% plant dry weight reduction occurred at this dew period duration. More efficacious control occurred on younger plants (cotyledonary-first leaf growth stage) than older, larger plants. Mortality and dry weight reduction values in field experiments were ~70% and >80%, respectively, when cotyledonary-third leaf growth stage seedlings were sprayed with 10⁸ or 10⁹ conidia·mL⁻¹. These results indicate that this fungus has potential as a biological control agent for controlling this problematic weed that is tolerant to the herbicide glyphosate.

【 授权许可】

CC BY   
© 2015 by the authors; licensee MDPI, Basel, Switzerland.