Aquatic Plant Control Research Program. Evaluation of Fusarium Roseum 'Culmorum' as a Biological Control Agent for Hydrilla verticillata.
Abstract
An isolate of Fusarium roseum 'Culmorum' was isolated in 1974 from diseased stratiotes aloides (Hydrocharitaceae) plants found new Wageningen, The Netherlands. In laboratory tests conducted in Gainesville, it was found to be pathogenic to a relative of S. aloides, Hydrilla verticillata, one of the most important aquatic plants in Florida. Hydrilla plants grown in different kinds of sterile water in containers ranging from 50-ml tubes to 20-pound aquarium tanks were killed following addition of macroconidial suspensions of this isolate and incubation for several weeks. A minimum of 25,000 conidia/ml of treated water were required to kill hydrilla. The host range of the Dutch Culmorum isolate was tested on 80 plant species including corp cultivars and nontarget aquatic plants. Seed infestation and/or seedling inoculation methods were used. Results indicated that the fungus infected some nontarget hosts, but was not a significant primary pathogen of any of the terrestrial hosts tested. It was lethal to certain aquatic plants, which also may be controlled by this isolate. The fungus survived in water or moist soil for at least 9 weeks, but the number of propagules in water declined to a low level during this period. The fungus was harmless to mosquitofish in an acute toxicity bioassay. A fungicide capable of controlling this fungus was identified.
Document Details
- Document Type
- Technical Report
- Publication Date
- Aug 01, 1984
- Accession Number
- ADA145228
Entities
People
- F. M. Hofmeister
- R. Charudattan
- R. E. Cullen
- T. E. Freeman
Organizations
- University of Florida