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ARS Home » Northeast Area » Frederick, Maryland » Foreign Disease-Weed Science Research » Research » Publications at this Location » Publication #213434
Title: Search for fungi as potential biological control agents of Echinochloa crus-galli

Author
item KOLOMIETS, TAMARA - ALL RUSSIAN RES INSTITUTE
item SKATENOK, OLEG - ALL RUSSIAN RES INSTITUTE
item MUKHINA, ZHANNA - ALL RUSSIAN RES INSTITUTE
item Berner, Dana

Submitted to: Phytopathology
Publication Type: Abstract Only
Publication Acceptance Date: 7/28/2007
Publication Date: 7/28/2007
Citation: Kolomiets, T.M., Skatenok, O.O., Mukhina, Z.M., Berner, D.K. 2007. Search for fungi as potential biological control agents of Echinochloa crus-galli. Phytopathology. 97:S59

Interpretive Summary:

Technical Abstract: Cockspur dace, Echinochloa crus-galli (family Poaceae), is the most widespread and harmful weed in Russian rice production. Heavy infestations of the weed cause rice-crop losses up to 50 percent. With the purpose of discovering pathogenic fungi as potential agents for biological control of E. crus-galli (a survey of crop fields in Krasnodar territory in Southern Russia) was conducted. Eleven genera of fungi: Ustilago (U. trichophora Körn. Phoma (P. glomerata), Chromelosporium (Ch. fulvum), Humicola, Colletotrichum, Alternaria, Sordaria, Acremonium, Periconia (P. igniaria), Cladosporium, Fulvia (F. fulva) were isolated from damaged plant samples. The obligate pathogen Ustilago trichophora Körn has generated the greatest interest as a potential agent for biological control of E. crus-galli. Single non-pathogenic haploid basidiospores (sporidia) were isolated on a solid nutrient medium including a barley extract. Sporidia from these single-spore cultures were combined (mated) in a pair-wise fashion to identify compatible cultures (mating types). As a result of pairing of haploid pathogen cells, dikaryotic infectious mycelia were formed between several of the single-spore cultures. Host plants of E. crus-galli were inoculated with mixtures of sporidia from compatible cultures and many of these plants became infected by the pathogen.