Biological Control of Yellow Nutsedge with the Indigenous Rust Fungus Puccinia canaliculata
SHARAD C. PHATAK 1,
DONALD R. SUMNER 2,
HOMER D. WELLS 3,
DURHAM K. BELL 2, and
NORMAN C. GLAZE 4
1 Department of Horticulture, Coastal Plain Experiment Station, University of Georgia, Tifton 31793
2 Department of Plant Pathology, Coastal Plain Experiment Station
3 Department of Plant Pathology, U.S. Department of Agriculture, Tifton, Georgia 31793
4 Department of Horticulture, U.S. Department of Agriculture
Yellow nutsedge (Cyperus esculentus L.) is a serious weed problem in the United States and other countries. An indigenous rust fungus [Puccinia canaliculata (Schw.) Lagerh.], pathogenic on yellow nutsedge, was released in early spring as a potential biological control agent. The fungus inhibited nutsedge flowering and new tuber formation. The fungus also dehydrated and killed nutsedge plants. The successful control of yellow nutsedge by a rust epiphytotic under experimental conditions demonstrates the potential use of the rust in an integrated weed management system.
Submitted on September 27, 1982
Revised on November 19, 1982
