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ARS Home » Northeast Area » Frederick, Maryland » Foreign Disease-Weed Science Research » Research » Publications at this Location » Publication #311759
Title: Fulfillment of Koch’s postulates and partial host range of Septoria lepidii Desm., a fungal pathogen for potential biological control of hoary cress (Lepidium spp.)

Author
item Berner, Dana
item Eskandari, Farivar
item Cavin, Craig
item Dubin, Harvey

Submitted to: Biocontrol Science and Technology
Publication Type: Peer Reviewed Journal
Publication Acceptance Date: 1/21/2015
Publication Date: 3/12/2015
Citation: Berner, D.K., Eskandari, F., Cavin, C.A., Dubin, H. 2015. Fulfillment of Koch’s postulates and partial host range of Septoria lepidii Desm., a fungal pathogen for potential biological control of hoary cress (Lepidium spp.). Biocontrol Science and Technology. 25:732-737.

Interpretive Summary: Hoary cress is invasive and problematic weeds in N. America. The weeds were accidentally introduced to North America from western Asia and Eastern Europe and are now considered noxious in 23 US states. A new fungus was discovered and tested for biological control of hoary cress, also known as whitetop. The fungus caused disease only on hoary cress and two other closely related plants. The fungus is potentially an important biological control agent for hoary cress.

Technical Abstract: We have fulfilled Koch’s postulates and conducted host range tests with Septoria lepidii Desm. on five geographical accessions of hoary cress. Host range results showed the fungus specific to Lepidium spp. and damaging to hoary cress. This fungus is potentially an important biological control agent for weedy species of Lepidium.