Preliminary studies on Ramularia crupinae sp. nov. as a potential biological control agent for common crupina (Crupina vulgaris) in the USA

摘要

Common crupina, Crupina vulgaris (Asteraceae), is an alien weed of pastures and disturbed noncrop lands in the western USA. Research is underway in Europe to search for the natural enemies to control the weed. Among various natural enemies attackingC. vulgaris, a new fungal species, Ramularia crupinae, has been found to cause serious damage to the weed. The fungus has been grown on various media and a modified ve juice agar has proved to be suitable for both growth and sporulation. Greenhouse andfield studies have shown that R. crupinae can kill infected leaves, thus reducing plant growth, and in severe cases can kill young plants. During preliminary host-range tests using various members of the Asteraceae, including artichoke and safflower, thefungus attacked only C. vulgaris.