Aquatic Plant Control Research Program: Specific Association of Plant Pathogenswith Submersed Aquatic Plants

摘要

Control of nuisance aquatic plants in our Nation's waterways is of major concernto Federal, State, and local resource agencies. Millions of dollars are spent yearly on chemical, mechanical, and physical control methods that are costly and often detrimental to the aquatic ecosystem (McGehee 1979). Even when successful, such stop-gap measures are temporary and require repeated treatment throughout the growing season. Biological control offers a long-term management approach that is more desirable in many respects than mechanical and chemical control methods. Eradication is not the aim of biological control. Seldom will a parasite destroy the entire host population (Huffaker, Simmons, and Laing 1976). Once the biocontrol agent has established an association with the plant, continual stress is exerted on the plant population. Thus, plant population decline is normally gradual, preventing nutrient loading of the system and allowing it to cope with minimal imbalance. Microbial control of aquatic and wetland plants is a viable approach. It is a proven method of control for emergent and floating aquatic plants, including waterhyacinth (Eichhomia crassipes (Mart.) Solms) (Sanders and Theriot).