Hostname: page-component-586b7cd67f-gb8f7 Total loading time: 0 Render date: 2024-11-28T08:09:34.324Z Has data issue: false hasContentIssue false

The Potential of an Endemic Fungus, Colletotrichum gloeosporioides, for Biological Control of Round-Leaved Mallow (Malva pusilla) and Velvetleaf (Abutilon theophrasti)

Published online by Cambridge University Press:  12 June 2017

Knud Mortensen*
Affiliation:
Agric., Canada Res. Stn., Box 440, Regina, SK S4P 3A2. Canada

Abstract

A fungal pathogen, Colletotrichum gloeosporioides (Penz.) Sacc. f. sp. malvae, isolated from anthracnose symptoms of round-leaved mallow (Malva pusilla Sm.), was shown in greenhouse tests to be host specific to Malva spp. and velvetleaf (Abutilon theophrasti Medic. #3 ABUTH), and only with slight attack on hollyhock [Althaea rosea (L.) Cav. # ALGRO], Malope trifida Cav., and Venice mallow (Hibiscus trionum L. # HIBTR). Round-leaved mallow plants inoculated with a spore suspension of the fungus were killed after 17 to 20 days. It was less pathogenic on velvetleaf with 60 to 70% attack. The fungus can readily be cultured and field tests from 1982 to 1987 resulted in excellent control of round-leaved mallow under natural conditions. Therefore, it has good potential for biological control of round-leaved mallow in field crops.

Type
Weed Biology and Ecology
Copyright
Copyright © 1988 by the Weed Science Society of America 

Access options

Get access to the full version of this content by using one of the access options below. (Log in options will check for institutional or personal access. Content may require purchase if you do not have access.)

References

Literature Cited

1. Conners, I. L., Shoemaker, R. A., and Creelman, D. W. 1957. Can. Plant Dis. Surv. 1956. 36th Annu. Rpt.:129.Google Scholar
2. Daniel, J. T., Templeton, G. E., Smith, R. J. Jr., and Fox, W. T. 1973. Biological control of northern jointvetch in rice with an endemic fungal disease. Weed Sci. 21:303307.Google Scholar
3. Eaton, B. J., Russ, O. G., and Feltner, K. C. 1976. Competition of velvetleaf, prickly sida, and Venice mallow in soybeans. Weed Sci. 24:224228.Google Scholar
4. Frankton, C. and Mulligan, G. A. 1987. Weeds of Canada. Publ. No. 948, New Canada Publications, NC Press Ltd., Toronto, Ontario. 217 pp.Google Scholar
5. Kirkpatrick, T. L., Templeton, G. E., and TeBeest, D. O. 1982. Potential of Colletotrichum malvarum for biological control of prickly sida. Plant Dis. 66:323325.Google Scholar
6. Makowski, R.M.D. 1987. The evaluation of Malva pusilla sm. as a weed and its pathogen Colletotrichum gloeosporioides (Penz.) Sacc. f. sp. malvae as a bioherbicide. Ph.D. Dissertation. Univ. Saskatchewan, Saskatoon, SK. 225 pp.Google Scholar
7. Spencer, N. R. 1984. Velvetleaf, Abutilon theophrasti (Malvaceae), history and economic impact in the United States. Econ. Bot. 38:407416.Google Scholar
8. TeBeest, D. O. and Templeton, G. E. 1985. Mycoherbicides: Progress in the biological control of weeds. Plant Dis. 69:610.Google Scholar
9. Templeton, G. E. 1982. Biological herbicides: discovery, development, deployment. Weed Sci. 30:430433.Google Scholar
10. U.S.D.A. 1962. Index of plant diseases in the United States. Agric. Handb. No. 165. ARS, USDA. 531 pp.Google Scholar