Aquatic Plant Control Research Program: Evaluation of Fungi for Biological Control of 'Hydrilla verticillata' (L.f.) Royle

摘要

Fungal isolates collected from the microsphere of hydrilla were evaluated for their use as potential biological control agents of this weed. Test-tube and aquaria pathogenicity tests were conducted with each isolate alone and in combination. Fungal isolates were also tested in conjunction with commercially produced enzymes to determine if pathogenicity could be enhanced. Environmental parameters including pH, temperature, and light were evaluated for their effect on the growth and sporulation of 16 fungal isolates that exhibited an impact on hydrilla. Preliminary host range and acute fish toxicity tests were performed on the fungal isolate Cladosporium cladosporioides (number 224), which exhibited the greatest potential as a biological control agent of hydrilla. Although none of the fungi in these studies could be considered a serious candidate for use as a biocontrol agent, other fungi have been found to cause disease of hydrilla. Keywords: Biological weed control. (kt)