Mesocosm and field evaluation of Eurasian and hybrid watermilfoil response to endothall in Jefferson Slough, Montana

摘要

Aquatic plant management decisions and outcomes are influenced by a wide range of variables, such as site-specific hydrology and water quality. In addition, genetic variation in the plant species targeted for control can play a role in management outcomes. Individuals and populations of a species may not all be genetically identical, and different genotypes may exhibit variation in management-relevant traits, such as growth and herbicide sensitivity. For example, mutations in the phytoene desaturasegene of hydrilla (Hydrilla verticillata (L. f.) Royle) can confer resistance to fluridone (Michel et al. 2004). Likewise, individual biotypes of fanwort (Cabomba caroliniana A. Gray) exhibit different responses to some herbicides (Bultemeier et al. 2009). Explicit consideration of genetic variation may therefore facilitate predictions regarding efficacy of proposed control tactics in specific water bodies. Yet, aquatic plant management projects rarely consider genetic variation when designing and evaluating treatment plans.