Biological Control of Cyperus Species
Biological Control of Cyperus Species
Biological Control of Cyperus Species
Keywords
biocontrol, bioherbicide, biological control, Cyperaceae, integrated
weed management, mycoherbicide, nutsedge, organic agriculture,
weeds.
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BIOLOGICAL CONTROL OF CYPERUS SPECIES
stem disease in cassava (Manihot esculenta) (Msikita et al., make them more likely to respond to similar extents to
1997), rice (Chu & Chen, 1973), and bentgrass (Agrostis applications of P. canaliculata. Unfortunately, most purple
sp.) (Muchovej & Couch, 1987), which may be cause of nutsedge biotypes exhibit a low level of susceptibility as
concern when the fungus is intended for use in those crops. compared to yellow nutsedge.
Whether the C. lunata isolate of Shelby and Bewick will Scheepens and Hoogerbrugge (1991) tested a P. canalicu-
infect these crops has not been determined (the isolate could lata strain from the USA on various Cyperaceae in the
have high specificity). Netherlands. Cyperus fuscus was infected by the fungus and
Based on the limited information available, potential developed small pustules. C. esculentus leptostachyus from
issues of host specificity and low efficacy may limit practical several locations in the Netherlands were found to be differ-
applications for C. lunata. Because the humid environment entially susceptible to the fungus, from resistant to high
in which rice is commonly grown is bound to favor disease susceptibility (as interpreted from pustule number and size).
progress, one of the main restraints for bioherbicide efficacy A C. esculentus selection grown as a crop and weedy C.
(dew period, relative humidity) should not limit Curvularia esculentus biotypes were resistant to the fungus. Other
tuberculata as a biocontrol agent in rice. The susceptibility Cyperaceae tested (Cyperus albostriatus, C. alternifolius, C.
of some rice cultivars may be an important issue, particu- flavescens, C. rotundus, Carex hirta, Eleocharis palustris,
larly if the fungus is applied in areas where several rice and Scirpus maritimus) were also resistant to P. canaliculata.
cultivars are grown in adjacent farms or fields. When P. canaliculata spores were sprayed on yellow
nutsedge in Georgia (USA), tuber productivity was signifi-
Ascochyta cantly reduced, 90% of the shoots were killed within five
In India, Upadhyay et al. (1991) reported a purple nutsedge weeks of application, and the production of new shoots was
leaf blight caused by Ascochyta cypericola. This fungus is reduced by 66% as compared to control plants. When P.
pathogenic only to plant species within the genus Cyperus, canaliculata spores were applied with the chemical herbicide
and disease severity in purple nutsedge was reported to be paraquat [1,1’-dimethyl-4-4’-bypyridinium ion], yellow
extensive. In addition, Stierle et al. (1991) reported that A. nutsedge shoot production was 99% lower than in control
cypericola produced cyperine, a phytotoxin that may have plants; in contrast, in plants sprayed with paraquat only,
potential as a natural herbicide (Dayan & Allen, 2000). A shoot production was reduced by 10% as compared to
related species, Ascochyta cyperiphthora sp. nov., was found control plants (Phatak, 1984; Phatak et al., 1983, 1984, and
to cause leaf scorching in purple nutsedge in Brazil (Pomella 1987). Bruckart et al. (1988) combined P. canaliculata with
& Barreto, 1997), but its efficacy for biocontrol has not bentazon [3-isopropyl-1H-2,1,3-benzothiadiazin-4(3H)-one
been documented. 2,2-dioxide] (0.3 or 0.6 kg a.i./ha), resulting in reduced
Information on Ascochyta spp. and/or its phytotoxin(s) disease (50%) as compared to P. canaliculata without
for Cyperaceae biocontrol is scarce, but what has been bentazon. P. canaliculata reduced the number of tubers
reported may warrant further research. If efficacious, (44%), but not the number of shoots produced per yellow
selective, and economical, phytotoxins may prove more nutsedge plant. In yellow nutsedge infested-soybean
practical than the fungi themselves, since the dew period, (Glycine max), P. canaliculata combined with the chemical
relative humidity, and temperature requirements of the fungi herbicides betanzon, acifluorfen [5-(2-chloro-a,a,a-trifluoro-
would be bypassed. p-tolyloxy)-2-nitrobenzoic acid], or imazaquin [(RS)-2-(4-
isopropyl-4-methyl-5-oxo-2-imidazolin-2-yl)quinoline-3-
Puccinia carboxylic acid], resulted in better yellow nutsedge control
Several species in the genus Puccinia have been reported than the rust or the chemical herbicides alone (Callaway et
attacking nutsedges, (predominantly yellow nutsedge) in the al., 1986). Beste et al. (1992) applied P. canaliculata mixed
USA (Phatak, 1984), Brazil (Barreto & Evans, 1995), with the chemical herbicide pebulate [S-propyl
Panama (De la Cruz & Merayo, 1990; Esquivel, 1991), butyl(ethyl)thiocarbamate] for yellow nutsedge suppression
India (Bedi & Sokhi, 1994), and Dominican Republic in tomato, and found the same extent of control with the
(Morales-Payan et al., 1998). The species P. canaliculata and mixture as with pebulate alone.
P. romagnoliana seem to be most widespread. Researchers Major efforts have been made to develop P. canaliculata
such as Barreto and Evans (1995) have questioned the into a commercial bioherbicide (Phatak, 1992) and the Envi-
taxonomic validity of several Puccinia species reported in ronmental Protection Agency of the USA has granted P.
the literature. Barreto and Evans (1995) studied a complex canaliculata a bioherbicide registration with the name of
of six Puccinia rust fungi infecting purple nutsedge in Brazil. ‘Dr. BioSedge’. However, difficulties in large-scale
From their taxonomic research, those authors concluded production of P. canaliculata spores (an obligate parasite),
that Puccinia conclusa, P. cypericola and P. philippensis its low efficacy against certain yellow nutsedge biotypes, and
should be considered synonyms of P. canaliculata. its low or no pathogenicity against purple nutsedge, have
Okoli et al. (1997), using random amplified polymorphic prevented wide acceptance of this fungus as a commercial
DNA analysis, found that previously observed differential bioherbicide.
susceptibility of yellow nutsedge biotypes to P. canaliculata In India, Puccinia romagnoliana was found causing a rust
were due to extensive genetic variability between yellow disease on purple nutsedge. In field trials in which this
nutsedge populations from different locations in the USA potential bioherbicide was applied on purple nutsedge, the
and other countries. In contrast, there was less genetic rust reduced plant fresh and dry weights by 64% and 56%,
variability between purple nutsedge biotypes, which would respectively, and tuber number and weight were reduced by
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