Biological Control of the Weed Sesbania exaltata Using a Microsclerotia Formulation of the Bioherbicide <i>Colletotrichum truncatum</i>

Colletotrichum truncatum, grown on rice grain (3 to 4 weeks, 22°C to 24°C) produced a fungus-infested rice mixture of microsclerotia and conidia (spores) in a ratio of ~9:1, respectively. Greenhouse tests of this formulation (0.4 to 50 mg finely-ground fungus-rice product) which applied pre-emergence to 5 cm2 of soil surface, caused 22% to 96% hemp sesbania plant mortality, after 14 days. Post-emergence treatment (fungus-rice aqueous formulation;2.4 × 105 microsclerotia ml-1, 30% unrefined corn oil and 0.2% Silwet L-77 surfactant) of weeds surviving the pre-emergence application, resulted in 93% mortality, after 14 days. Based on greenhouse results, field tests were undertaken: 1) pre-emergence treatment (fungus-rice formulation at 2.4 × 105 microsclerotia cm-2), 2) post-emergence (fungus-rice product in 30% unrefined corn oil, 0.2% Silwet) only treatment, applied 15 days after planting and 3) pre-emergence treatment followed by post-emergence treatment (fungus-rice product in 30% unrefined corn oil, 0.2% Silwet) applied 15 days after planting to surviving weeds. Control treatments were: 1) autoclaved rice product sans fungus, 2) unrefined corn oil (30% unrefined corn oil, 0.2% Silwet in water) and 3) untreated plants. Planting dates were: early season (April-May), early-mid season (June-July), late-mid season (July-August), and late season (September-October). Weed mortality was recorded at 15 days for the pre-plus post-treatment, and at 30 days after planting for the pre-emergence only and the post-treatment only. The early season, pre-emergence treatment caused 67% hemp sesbania mortality (3-yr average) within 15 days and the post-emergence treatment caused 91% mortality of the surviving weeds. In the late-mid-season, pre-emergence treatment caused minimal (<5%) mortality at 15 days, but mortality in the post-emergence treatment was >80%. Results suggest that seasonal environmental conditions are important in the efficacy of this C. truncatum-rice product formulation when applied pre- or post-emergence to this onerous weed.

Kudzu Response to Foliar Applied Herbicides

Chemical control is presently the most cost-effective means to control kudzu;however, some of the herbicides labeled for kudzu control have substantial non-target toxicity, poor selectivity, high cost, long soil persistence, high soil mobility and/or high use rates. The present study evaluated other herbicides for efficacy in suppressing aboveground kudzu biomass in replicated field trials at three sites over two years. A single application of aminopyralid, triclopyr or metsulfuron resulted in at least 90% kudzu suppression in the following season at two locations. After a second year of treatment those herbicides and fluroxypyr produced at least 90% kudzu suppression, and 100% kudzu control was reached on some test plots. Glyphosate, glufosinate and mesotrione were less effective in controlling kudzu. Given the rapid growth potential of kudzu, complete eradication should be pursued. None of the herbicides evaluated in the present study could reliably achieve eradication of mature kudzu with two applications, so additional control efforts would be required.

Biological Control Potential of <i>Colletotrichum gloeosporioides</i>for Coffee Senna (<i>Cassia occidentalis</i>)

A fungal pathogen, Colletotrichum gloeosporioides was isolated from a greenhouse-grown seedling of coffee senna (Cassia occidentalis) and evaluated as a mycoherbicide for that weed. Host range tests revealed that coffee senna, wild senna (C. marilandica), and sicklepod (C. obtusifolia) were also affected by this pathogen, but 35 other crop and weed species, representing 8 botanical families were not affected. The fungus sporulated prolifically on solid and liquid media with maximum spore germination and growth occurring at 20°C - 30°C. Optimal environmental conditions included at least 12 h of free moisture (dew) at 20°C - 30°C. Spray mixtures containing approximately 1.0 × 105 or more conidia·ml–1 gave maximum control when coffee senna seedlings were sprayed until runoff occurred. Coffee senna seedlings that were in the cotyledon to first-leaf growth stage were most susceptible to this pathogen. Weed control efficacy studies under field conditions demonstrated that control of coffee senna was directly proportional to the inoculum concentration applied. Results of these tests suggest that this fungus has potential as a mycoherbicide to control coffee senna, a serious weed in the southeastern U.S.

Interaction of the Bioherbicide Myrothecium verrucaria and Glyphosate for Kudzu Control

Kudzu is an exotic invasive weed in the southeastern U.S. that is difficult to control with current commercial herbicides. Some success for its control has been achieved using a bioherbicidal agent, Myrothecium verrucaria (MV). Spore and mycelial formulations of MV were tested alone and in combination with glyphosate for control of kudzu (Pueraria lobata) under greenhouse and field conditions in naturally-infested areas. In greenhouse and field experiments, kudzu control increased as the concentration of spores or mycelia increased. Glyphosate alone provided 10%, 35%, 50% and 60% control in field experiments at 0.25, 0.50, 0.75 and 1.0X rates, respectively and MV alone spores provided 15%, 50%, 65% and 85% control at 0.25, 0.50, 0.75 and 1.0X rates, respectively. However, when MV spores were combined with glyphosate, significantly higher control occurred than that caused by either component alone. Similar levels of control were observed for MV mycelial formulations applied alone or with glyphosate at equivalent concentrations of the fungus. The rate of disease progression was more rapid and severe at all fungal spore or mycelial formulations and herbicide rates when these propagules were applied in combination with glyphosate. In field tests, 24 h after application, only 20% of kudzu plants were severely damaged by MV alone (0.25X), whereas 80% were severely diseased when MV spores and glyphosate were mixed and applied at 0.25X rates each. A similar trend occurred with the MV mycelial formulation applied at these rates. Synergist interactions on kudzu control were observed, especially when lower levels of MV (spores or mycelia) and glyphosate were combined and applied to kudzu in the greenhouse or in the field. These results suggest that it may be possible to incorporate glyphosate to improve the bioherbicidal control potential and reduce herbicide and inoculum requirements of M. verrucaria spores or mycelium for controlling kudzu.

Effect of Winter Flooding on Weeds, Soybean Yield, Straw Degradation, and Soil Chemical and Biochemical Characteristics

Winter flooding of harvested rice fields attracts migratory waterfowl and may assist in degrading rice straw residue. Field studies were conducted between 2003 and 2005 in Stoneville, MS to evaluate the impacts of winter flooding of harvested rice fields on rice straw degradation, winter weeds, soybean yield, and soil biochemical and chemical properties. The experimental area each year consisted of a harvested rice field that remained no-till after harvest and that was dissected into 7.6- by 15-m bays with constructed levees to accommodate winter flooding treatments. Flooding treatments (10-cm depth) consisted of: 1) flooded from mid-October to early March;2) flooded mid-October to early January;3) flooded mid-December to early March;4) flooded mid-December to mid-January;and 5) no flood. Winter weeds were counted, biomass determined as well as residual rice straw before flooding and in early April of each year. Winter flooding reduced rice straw biomass 32% to 60% compared to 21% to 31% reduction for no winter flood with the longest flood duration resulting in the greatest loss of carbon and nitrogen from straw residues in both years. Winter flooding treatments reduced weed populations and weed biomass from 43% to 99% when compared to no flooding treatment. Soybean yields ranged from 3295 kg.ha-1 with the longest winter flooding regime to 4295 kg.ha-1 with no flooding. Significant reductions in soil nitrate levels were most consistent in the upper 0 to 2.5-cm surface soil. Soil enzymatic activity (dehydrogenase and fluorescein diacetate hydrolysis) was increased by flooding in 2003, while minimal effects were found in the second year consistent with more anaerobic conditions attained in 2003 compared to 2004. Environmental benefits of accelerated straw decomposition and weed control is achieved by winter flooding;however, there are negative consequences of nitrogen losses and reduced soybean yield.