Canadian Forest Service Publications
Biological control of Rubus species with various formulations of Fusarium avenaceum. 1999. Shamoun, S.F.; Oleskevich, C. Canadian Journal of Plant Pathology 21: 205.
Year: 1999
Issued by: Pacific Forestry Centre
Catalog ID: 5250
Language: English
Availability: Not available through the CFS (click for more information).
Available from the Journal's Web site. †
DOI: 10.1080/07060669909501213
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Abstract
Invasive Rubus spp., including Rubus idaeus var. strigosus, Rubus parviflorus, and Rubus spectabilis, have the capacity to rapidly invade reforestation and riparian sites and effectively reduce the growth and survival of newly planted or naturally regenerated conifer seedlings. biological control strategy for management of these Rubus spp. is being sought as an alternative to chemical herbicides. a biocontrol agent, Fusarium avenaceum, was selected and formulated in several liquid or solid-based media and evaluated for its efficacy on Rubus spp. Foliar infection was increased significantly when F> avenaceum was grown on rice-grain substrate, combined with an organosilicone surfactant (0.4% Silwet L-77), and applied to R. idaeus var. strigosus and R. parviflorus plants under shadehouse conditions. Extraction and analysis of infested rice filtrates for metabolite production indicated the presence of a single phytotoxin, moniliformin, at levels of 3300 ppm. Future research is focused on improvement of the formulation, determining optimum application method, and screening for F. avenaceum phytotoxins on Rubus spp. using tissue culture techniques.