Field and Laboratory Studies of the Fungus Mycoleptodiscus Terrestris as aPotential Agent for Management of the Submersed Aquatic Macrophyte Hydrilla Verticillata

摘要

Laboratory and field studies were undeflaken to assess the potential of a fungalpathogen as a biocontrol agent for the management of Hydrilla verticillata (L. fil.) Royle. The pathogen previously reported to be Macrophornina phaseolina (Tassi) Goid was positively identified as a strain of Mycoleptodiscus terrestris (Gerd.) Ostazeski. Laboratory tests reconfirmed that M. terrestris produced characteristic disease symptoms on hydrilla tissues followed by a significant reduction in aboveground biomass. Assessment of M. terrestris in a field situation was conducted on hydrilla-planted ponds at the Lewisville Aquatic Ecosystem Research Facility. Aboveground biomass of the host plant was significantly reduced 4 weeks postinoculation with a mycelial matrix of the fungus.