ARS | Publication request: BIOLOGICAL CONTROL OF THE WEED HEMP SESBANIA WITH COLLETOTRICHUM TRUNCATUM

Submitted to: International Symposium on Biological Control of Weeds
Publication Type: Abstract Only
Publication Acceptance Date: July 3, 1999
Publication Date: N/A

Technical Abstract: Hemp sesbania (Sesbania exaltata) is a problematic weed in row crops throughout much of the southeastern U.S. An isolate of the fungal pathogen Colletotrichum truncatum (NRRL Accession No. 18434) was discovered on the Southern Weed Science Laboratory Experimental Research Farm and has been extensively evaluated over the past several years for use as a bioherbicide against this weed. Various invert and vegetable oil emulsion formulations developed in our laboratory eliminated or greatly reduced free moisture requirements, and have consistently provided 85-95% control of weeds in field trials. Granular formulations (Pesta) have also provided similar levels of control in years replicated field tests. Inoculum consisting of fungal conidia and microsclerotia produced on various crop grains remained viable for at least 7 years when stored under refrigeration.