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ARS Home » Plains Area » College Station, Texas » Southern Plains Agricultural Research Center » Crop Germplasm Research » Research » Publications at this Location » Publication #377245
Research Project: Identification of Resistance in Sorghum to Fungal Pathogens and Characterization of Pathogen Population Structure

Location: Crop Germplasm Research

Title: Diseases of johnsongrass: Possible role as a reservoir of pathogens to other plants

Author
item AHN, EZEKIEL - Texas A&M University
item Prom, Louis
item MAGILL, CLINT - Texas A&M University

Submitted to: Weed Science
Publication Type: Peer Reviewed Journal
Publication Acceptance Date: 4/5/2021
Publication Date: N/A
Citation: N/A

Interpretive Summary: Johnsongrass is a weed that is widely distributed in production fields and can outcompete cultivated crops for space and nutrients. Annually, the weed costs producers millions of dollars to control, and it can also be infected by fungal, bacterial, viral, and other pathogens. In addition, the johnsongrass is considered as an alternative host to several pathogens that can infect crops such as sorghum and corn. This review examines the diseases of johnsongrass as a potential reservoir for pathogens of economically important crops.

Technical Abstract: Johnsongrass (Sorghum halepense (L.) Pers.) is one of the most noxious weeds distributed around the world. Due to rapid growth, wide dissemination, and ability to spread via rhizomes, johnsongrass outcompetes cultivated crops for space and nutrients in the field. From a perspective of plant pathology, johnsongrass is also considered as a potential reservoir of pathogens that can eventually jump to other crops, especially corn and sorghum. As one of the most problematic weeds, understanding johnsongrass and its diseases can provide useful information concerning its role in diseases of agronomically important crops. In this review, known diseases of johnsongrass are discussed. Furthermore, the potential role of johnsongrass as a reservoir of pathogens of other crops is elaborated.