Biological Control of Northern Jointvetch in Rice by An Endemic Fungal Disease

Abstract
An endemic anthrocnose disease of northern jointvetch [Aeschynomene virginica(L.) B.S.P.] incited by the fungusColletotrichum gloeosporioides(Penz.) Sacc. f. sp.aeschynomenewas discovered in 1969 at Stuttgart, Arkansas. When grown on solid or in liquid media, the organism grew rapidly and sporulated abundantly. From 1970 through 1972 water sprays of the fungus spores at 2 to 15 million spores per milliliter in 94 to 374 L/ha controlled northern jointvetch grown in the growth chamber, greenhouse, and field. The fungus controlled plants ranging from 5 to 66 cm tall. The disease developed on northern jointvetch most rapidly at temperatures of 23 to 32 C and at relative humidities above 80%. An incubation period of 4 to 7 days and up to 5 weeks was usually required to kill the weeds. The fungus was specific forAeschynomenespecies since it was very virulent onA. virginicaand only slightly virulent on Indian jointvetch (A. indicaL.). It did not affect rice (Oryza sativaL.), soybeans [Glycine max(L.) Merr.], cotton (Gossypium hirsutumL.), or 12 other common field, forage, and vegetable crops or 15 common weeds.

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