Multispecies System for Evaluation of Infectivity and Pathogenicity of Microbial Pest Control Agents in Nontarget Aquatic Species

摘要

Microbial pest control agents (MPCAs) such as viruses, bacteria, protozoa, and fungi, are being used as biological pesticides and herbicides. Test animals must be selected and laboratory systems developed to evaluate safety of such agents to nontarget species. A simple, multispecies laboratory system has been designed and used to determine risks of infectivity and pathogenicity of Colletotrichum gloeosporioides (Collego (R)), a registered postemergent mycoherbicide, to nontarget freshwater and estuarine plant and animal species. Test organisms included a freshwater and an estuarine fish, crustacean, bivalve mollusk, and plant. Results from the study have shown these multispecies test systems to be viable, inexpensive, and reliable. Histopathological methods used indicated no evidence that experimental exposure to the fungal MPCA in the test system caused infection or related pathogenicity in the selected nontarget species.