Biological Control of Cleavers (Galium spurium and G. aparine) with Pathogenic Fungi- Exploration and Discovery
A biological weed control research program has recently been initiated at the Alberta Research Council in collaboration with Agriculture and Agri-Food Canada, Saskatoon, to explore and develop indigenous fungal pathogens as bioherbicides for control of cleavers (Galium spurium and G. aparine). Disea...
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| Format: | Text |
| Language: | English |
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| Online Access: | http://citeseerx.ist.psu.edu/viewdoc/summary?doi=10.1.1.498.9362 http://www.invasive.org/publications/xsymposium/proceed/01pg117.pdf |
| Summary: | A biological weed control research program has recently been initiated at the Alberta Research Council in collaboration with Agriculture and Agri-Food Canada, Saskatoon, to explore and develop indigenous fungal pathogens as bioherbicides for control of cleavers (Galium spurium and G. aparine). Diseased leaves, stems, flowers, and seeds of cleavers were collected from various crop fields, located at the districts of Peace River, Edmonton, Lamont, Vegreville, Vermillion, and Saskatoon. A total number of 161 fungal isolates were obtained. Among those isolates, 74 were pathogenic to cleavers after applying Koch’s postulates. Pathogenic isolates were further assessed on weed control efficacy (virulence) using a 0 to 3 scale (0- no symptoms, +- light infection, ++- moderate infec-tion, and +++- severe infection to death). Results have shown that 47 isolates are virulent (with 2 or 3 virulence rating) to cleavers. Virulent isolates proceeded to crop safety test (preliminary host range) on nine major crops (wheat, barley, oats, canola, flax, safflower, field pea, lentil, and alfalfa). To date, laboratory and greenhouse experiments have demon-strated that several fungal isolates provide effective weed control and are safe to major crops. The potential of those fungal isolates as bioherbicides is being further assessed. |
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