Aquatic Plant Control Program. Technical Report 8. Aquatic Weed Control with Plant Pathogens.
Abstract
Under a research contract all of the major lakes and rivers of Florida have been surveyed for diseases of water hyacinths (Eichhornia crassipes), alligator weed (Alternanthera philoxeroides), Eurasian water milfoil (Myriophyllum spicatum), and hydrilla (Hydrilla verticillata). Also included in these surveys were various locales in Georgia, Louisiana, Arkansas, Alabama, Tennessee, and the Chesapeake Bay area of Maryland. Overseas surveys have included Jamaica, Puerto Rico, Trinidad, El Salvador, Guatemala, Panama, Argentina, and India. Over 200 fungi and bacteria have been isolated from waterweeds. The most virulent pathogen of water hyacinths collected thus far is an isolate of Rhizoctonia solani from the Rio Chagres of Panama (Canal Zone). This fungus is lethal to water hyacinths as well as to inoculated plants of alligator weed, water lettuce, and pennywort (Hydrocotyl sp.). Another fungus, Cephalosporium zonatum, induces striking zonate lesions on the foliage of inoculated plants, and it is being studied as an integrated control agent.
Document Details
- Document Type
- Technical Report
- Publication Date
- Dec 01, 1974
- Accession Number
- ADA002567
Entities
People
- E. O. Gangstad
- F. W. Zettler
- R. Charudattan
- R. E. Rintz
- T. E. Freeman