Epidemiology ofPuccinia chondrillina,a Rust Pathogen for the Biological Control of Rush Skeleton Weed in the United States
- 1 January 1981
- journal article
- research article
- Published by Scientific Societies in Phytopathology®
- Vol. 71 (8) , 839-843
- https://doi.org/10.1094/phyto-71-839
Abstract
Populations of rush skeleton weed (C. juncea) from California, Oregon, Washington and Idaho showed differential reactions to infection by the rust pathogen P. chondrillina. Among 7 collections of the pathogen, 4 different virulence patterns were expressed on the host populations. The optimal temperature range for germination of uredospores during a 4-h incubation on water agar was 11-18.degree. C. The optimal dew period for infection was 16 h at 10-21.degree. C. In a field plot in the 2nd season following a single artificial inoculation, rusted plants produced 94% fewer seeds, produced seed with 30% less germinability, had a 24% lower 1000-seed wt, and had 89% less biomass than rust-free plants. Virulent collections of P. chondrillina were increased and supplied to workers in the western USA for release in specific areas for biocontrol of C. juncea. Inoculations resulted in rust initiation, pathogen survival over winter and/or summer in each area, and natural spread of the pathogen to uninoculated areas. This is probably the 1st use of an exotic plant pathogen for weed control in the USA.This publication has 2 references indexed in Scilit:
- Root Development of Rush SkeletonweedWeed Science, 1968
- Rush Skeletonweed: Threat to Dryland AgricultureWeeds, 1967