Published online by Cambridge University Press: 12 June 2017
Biological weed control research at Arkansas has been with indigenous fungal pathogens applied as inundative inoculum to weed populations (9, 19, 22, 32, 34, 39). We term this concept the mycoherbicide approach to biological weed control (35). Our experience with this concept began in 1969 with the discovery by R. J. Smith, Jr., of a previously undescribed fungal pathogen on northern jointvetch, [Aeschynomene virginica (L.) B.S.P. # AESVI] (20, 22, 29). It was ultimately commercialized as COLLEGO™ in 1982 by the Upjohn Co. for use by Arkansas rice (Oryza sativa L.) and soybean [Glycine max (L.) Merr.] farmers. Nothing has been found nor can be foreseen from the experience during discovery, development, and deployment of COLLEGO™ that would preclude extension of the mycoherbicide concept to controlling other weeds in annual crops or noncrop areas (29). Nevertheless, the concept does have limitations. An overview of the COLLEGO™ effort plus a statement of some research interests engendered by it will be useful for assessment of the practical potential of this new approach to biological weed control.