Is wild taro a suitable target for classical biological control in the United States?

摘要

Weed biological control is a sustainable, cost-effective, and environmentally safe alternative to conventional practices such as chemical and mechanical control. However, before a biological control program is initiated, a feasibility study is conducted to determine whether a target weed is a good candidate for biological control. Therefore, the purpose of this review was to examine different aspects of the invasive wild taro, Colocasia esculenta (L.) Schott, as a potential target for biological control in the United States. Though cultivated in different regions of the world for its ornamental foliage and edible corms, wild taro in the United States is an aggressive weed that can form dense stands along waterways. Taro can displace native species,decrease scenic value of habitat, and colonize areas under a range of environmental conditions. We discuss pertinent aspects of the biology, ecology, and economics of wild taro, and used the Peschken-McClay scoring system to evaluate wild taro as a target for biological control. Pest records of wild taro in regions where it is cultivated provide a preliminary list of pathogens and herbivores that should be considered as potential biological control agents. Wild taro scored 139 on the Peschken-McClay scoring system. We argue that wild taro would be a good candidate for biological control in the United States based on biomass accumulation in wetlands, negative impacts to biodiversity, clogging of irrigation canals, and potential for future spread.