Biocontrol Science and Technology (2004) 14, 281-290

F.G. Jahromi, G.J. Ash and E.J. Cother (2004)
Factors affecting disease development by Rhynchosporium alismatis in starfruit (Damasonium minus), a weed of rice
Biocontrol Science and Technology 14 (3), 281-290
Abstract: The fungal pathogen Rhynchosporium alismatis is being developed for biological control of starfruit (Damasonium minus), an important aquatic weed in Australian rice fields. The development of R. alismatis in starfruit differs between juvenile and adult plants. Juvenile starfruit plants are stunted as a result of fungal infection, while in adult plants, the main effect is necrosis and chlorosis of floating leaves. A conidial concentration of 1×10⁴ conidia mL⁻¹ was adequate to cause disease symptoms on floating leaves, but the stunting effect on juveniles was caused by concentrations of at least 1×10⁵ conidia mL⁻¹. To successfully inoculate juvenile plants, the water must be drained before inoculation to expose plants to the inoculum. The artificial addition of dew periods did not enhance disease development in plants. The stunting of juvenile starfruit plants caused by the infection of R. alismatis may give rice plants a competitive advantage over the weed at the seedling stage.
(The abstract is excluded from the Creative Commons licence and has been copied with permission by the publisher.)
Link to article at publishers website
Database assignments for author(s): Gavin J. Ash

Research topic(s) for pests/diseases/weeds:
biocontrol - natural enemies
Research topic(s) for beneficials or antagonists:
application technology

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Pest and/or beneficial records:

Beneficial	Pest/Disease/Weed	Crop/Product	Country	Quarant.
	Damasonium minus (weed)	Rice (Oryza)
Plectosphaerella alismatis (weed pathogen)	Damasonium minus (weed)	Rice (Oryza)