Biology,ecology and management of the invasive parthenium weed (Parthenium hysterophorus L.)

Parthenium weed (Parthenium hysterophorus L.) is one of the most aggressive invasive weeds, threatening natural ecosystems and agroecosystems in over 30 countries worldwide. Parthenium weed causes losses of crops and pastures, degrading the biodiversity of natural plant communities, causing human and animal health hazards and resulting in serious economic losses to people and their interests in many countries around the globe. Several of its biological and ecological attributes contribute towards its invasiveness. Various management approaches (namely cultural, mechanical, chemical and biological control) have been used to minimise losses caused by this weed, but most of these approaches are ineffective and uneconomical and/or have limitations. Although chemical control using herbicides and biological control utilising exotic insects and pathogens have been found to contribute to the management of the weed, the weed nevertheless remains a significant problem. An integrated management approach is proposed here for the effective management of parthenium weed on a sustainable basis. © 2014 Society of Chemical Industry     

Further observations on the use of fungicides to control Peronosclerospora sacchari (T. Miyake) Shirai and K. Hara in sugarcane in Papua New Guinea

Abstract

Many biologists perceive organisms as constantly evolving and therefore consider the host plant ranges of biological control agents as labile. Host plant ranges are thus likely to undergo adaptive change should environmental conditions change, for example following successful biological control. As a consequence, the introduction of biological control agents against weeds is considered by many to be an inherently unsafe practice with non‐target plants at risk of attack. However, despite the introduction of over 600 insect species from one geographic region to another for biological weed control during this century, there are relatively few documented cases of changes in host plant range. Purported instances are discussed in relation to behavioural and genetic concepts. It is concluded that apparent additions to the host range can, in all of the cases examined, be explained in terms of established behavioural concepts of pre‐adaptation, threshold change resulting from host deprivation, and effects of experience (learning). The inappropriateness of the often‐used term host shift’ to describe these cases is demonstrated, and it is concluded that evidence from biological weed control contradicts some aspects of ecological and evolutionary theory.     

Biological control of weeds in European crops: recent achievements and future work

Approaches to the biological control of weeds in arable crops and integration of biological weed control with other methods of weed management are broadly discussed. Various types of integrative approaches to biological control of weeds in crops have been studied within the framework of a concerted European Research Programme (COST‐816). During the period 1994–99, some 25 institutions from 16 countries have concentrated on five target weed complexes. Some major scientific achievements of COST‐816 are: (i) combination of the pathogen Ascochyta caulina with an isolated phytotoxin produced by this fungus to control Chenopodium album in maize and sugar beet; (ii) the elaboration and preliminary field application of a system management approach using the weed:pathogen system Senecio vulgaris:Puccinia lagenophorae to reduce the competitiveness of the weed by inducing and stimulating a disease epidemic; (iii) combination of underseeded green cover with the application of spores of Stagonospora convolvuli to control Convolvulus species in maize; (iv) assessment of the response of different provenances of Amaranthus spp. to infection by Alternaria alternata and Trematophoma lignicola, the development of formulation and delivery techniques and a field survey of native insect species to control Amaranthus spp. in sugar beet and maize; (v) isolation of strains of different Fusarium spp. that infect all the economically important Orobanche spp. and development of novel, storable formulations using mycelia from liquid culture. Although no practical control has yet been reached for any of the five target weeds, potential solutions have been clearly identified. Two major routes may be followed in future work. The first is a technological approach focusing on a single, highly destructive disease cycle of the control agent and optimizing the efficacy and specificity of the agent. The second is an ecological approach based on a better understanding of the interactions among the crop, the weed, the natural antagonist and the environment, which must be managed in order to maximize the spread and impact of an indigenous antagonist on the weed.     

Can an integrated management approach provide a basis for long-term prevention of weed dominance in Australian pasture systems?

Broad-leaved weeds in pasture, such as Carduus nutans, Onopordum spp. and Echium plantagineum are a major problem for graziers in southern Australia. Previous attempts to combat these weeds with a single technique have only resulted in short-term success. An approach to long-term control, combining biological control with different grazing and herbicide strategies, was evaluated in an integrated weed management (IWM) programme, in south-eastern Australia. This IWM study was one of the few that has focused on biological control agents. During the field trials, the impacts of grazing and herbicide treatments on the weed and biological control agents, as well as on pasture composition, were monitored. This paper concentrates on the part of the study that focuses on the role and importance of pasture composition as part of weed management. The main pasture components were monitored using botanal , a sampling technique for estimating species composition and pasture yield in the field. IWM is a long-term ecological approach and after 3 years, major trends were just becoming apparent. This study shows that pasture composition can be manipulated to increase productivity and sustainability. It demonstrates that broad-leaved weeds can be reduced when high level pasture background management and chemical control are combined.     

Research on Plant Protection in Indonesia

Abstract

A protocol for biological control of weeds is described. It consists of preintroductory studies on the distribution and ecology of the weed, the discovery of organisms adapted to it, the estimation of their effectiveness, the selection of the most damaging strain and the examination of their safety as biological control agents and post-introductory studies to obtain establishment of non-infected stocks and to observe their effect on the weed populations.

Recent biological control studies on weeds are shown to support the proposals and the biological basis underlying the proposals is discussed. It is shown that where these have been ignored biological control has not been successful whereas when the protocol has been fully applied the weed has been successfully controlled.     

An emerging system management approach for biological weed control in crops: Senecio vulgaris as a research model

A ‘system management’ approach of biological weed control in crops is proposed and compared with other method's of biological weed control. It is based on the management of a weed pathosystem in order to maximize the natural spread and disease severity of a native or naturalized pathogen. This approach may be well-suited to situations where it is necessary to control single weed species in crops, and where no immediate and complete control is required, the production of large amounts of the agent is rather limiting (e.g. when using biotrophic fungi), and/or the importation of an exotic agent is not possible. This strategy provides fundamental knowledge of underlying mechanisms of crop production systems and is aligned with the view of modern agro-ecology, in which complete eradication of weeds is not desirable. The fundamental research required for a successful application of the ‘system management’ approach will be illustrated with the biological control project of Senecio vulgaris L. using the naturalized rust fungus Puccinia lagenophorae Cooke. A five-step procedure, together with selected results, will be presented. Main emphasis is given to the infection window, the study of the genetic structure of the plant and pathogen population, and the management of the infection conditions (a) to maximize the spread of the disease and the impact on the plants, and (b) to minimize the development of resistant plant populations. Joint application of herbicides at low doses, additional necrotrophic pathogens, and of biochemicals interfering with the weed's defence also will be envisaged, as well as their integration into general pest control practices. In this regard, biological weed control agents have to be seen as stress factors, not as weedkillers, and biological weed control as an integral part of a well-designed pest management strategy, not as a sole cure.     

Biology and management of the invasive weed Ageratina adenophora (Asteraceae): current state of knowledge and future research needs

Biological invasion is increasing worldwide and the management of invasive species is becoming an important priority for vegetation managers. Success of invasive species management depends on a thorough understanding of the biology of the organism in question and the effectiveness of current management efforts, in order to identify the best practices for management improvement. In this review, we synthesised current biological knowledge of a noxious invasive weed Ageratina adenophora to identify knowledge gaps and assessed management efforts to identify best practices. Finally, we proposed some priority areas for future research to fill knowledge gaps and improve management. Our analysis showed that A. adenophora has already invaded 40 countries, mainly in Asia, Oceania, Africa and Europe. Phenotypic plasticity, allelopathic interference and invasion‐mediated changes in the soil microbial community are the proposed mechanisms that facilitate rapid spread of this weed. However, allelopathy as a mechanism of invasion success of this weed has not been supported by ecologically meaningful experiments. Though mechanical, chemical and biological control measures have been used, their success remains limited and the weed continues to spread in new regions. Among seven biological control agents examined to date, gall fly (Procecidochares utilis) and leaf spot fungus (Passalora ageratinae) have been effective in limited areas to suppress growth of this weed. Some perennial native grasses (e.g. Setaria sphacellata and Lolium perenne) have shown potential to competitively suppress A. adenophora. In conclusion, understanding the invasion mechanisms, exploring further to identify effective biological control agents, combined with approaches of ecological restoration, could help in the management of this weed.     

Parthenium hysterophorus in Nepal: a review of its weed status and possibilities for management

The rapid expansion of the alien invasive Parthenium hysterophorus is a new agricultural and environmental problem for Nepal. Although the weed was first recorded in 1967, the most significant expansion has occurred in the last 20 years. The weed is thought to have entered Nepal from India and currently is found in the Tarai, Siwalik and hill regions of Nepal. A CLIMEX modelling projection has shown these regions to be climatically suitable for the growth of P. hysterophorus, both under the present and a future projected increased temperature. From the initially invaded roadside vegetation, the weed has now spread into cropping land and forests. Vehicle movement and transportation of agriculture products are the main means by which its seed is spreading. The weed has reduced plant species richness and changed species composition in grasslands, while fodder collectors have developed contact dermatitis from the plant. To date, no sustainable management strategy has been developed for this weed. However, the fortuitous arrival of the biological control agents Zygogramma bicolorata and Puccinia abrupta var. partheniicola has had some impact upon the weed's growth and abundance. A CLIMEX modelling projection identifies many suitable locations for Z. bicolorata outside of its present range and within areas where the weed is likely to spread, both under the present and under a future projected climate of increased temperature. Mapping of the currently invaded areas, management through community involvement and further releases of new and redistribution of current biological control agents are required to manage P. hysterophorus in Nepal.     

Distribution of Parthenium hysterophorus and one of its biological control agents (Coleoptera: Zygogramma bicolorata) in Nepal

Parthenium hysterophorus is a noxious invasive weed of both agricultural and natural ecosystems, spreading aggressively in Nepal. Management of this weed in Nepal has been limited, mainly because of the lack of geo‐referenced data concerning the weed's distribution. We conducted a nationwide survey of P. hysterophorus and its coleopteran biological control agent Zygogramma bicolorata from 2013 to 2016 to determine their spatial distribution. Both were widespread, with the distribution of Z. bicolorata lagging behind the invasion front of P. hysterophorus. The weed was present in 21.2% of the 4838 locations examined, including several isolated satellite populations. The weed was found in the Tarai, Siwalik, Middle Mountains and High Mountains regions, reaching up to 2000 m asl. It has invaded natural and modified ecosystems including all six protected areas in the Tarai and Siwalik regions. Road access appears to be the major pathway for its long‐distance dispersal. Zygogramma bicolorata had spread from the east to the west and was present in 15.4% of the weed occurrence locations, inflicting a low amount of damage. A CLIMEX modelling projection revealed the presence of additional geographic areas in Nepal which are climatically suitable for both P. hysterophorus and Z. bicolorata. Eradication of satellite populations of the weed by physical and chemical measures, and the release of Z. bicolorata into new, but climatically suitable, locations should be prioritised for P. hysterophorus management in Nepal. In conclusion, P. hysterophorus has rapidly become widespread in Nepal and the currently available biological control agent has not been able to prevent further spread of the weed.     

Herbicidal control in relation to distribution of Opuntia aurantiaca Lindley and effects on cochineal populations

Kivc main points have emerged from this study: (i) populations of the cactus Opuntia aurantiaca Lindley are highly aggregated; (ii) searching efficiency of spray teams applying herbicides is low because they fail to locate small isolated plants; (iii) searching efficiency is positively correlated with aggregation of the target plant; (iv) the presence of the cochineal Dactylopius austrinusDe Lotto is also positively associated with aggregations of the host plant and; (v) consequently, cochineal populations are selectively eliminated by current spraying techniques to the detriment of biological control. The implications of these findings are discussed in relation to future strategies for chemical and biological control of the weed.     

The potential for control of bracken in the UK using introduced herbivorous insects

Bracken (Pteridium aquilinum (L.) Kuhn) is an invasive native weed in the UK causing problems in upland agriculture and in land of amenity and conservation value; it may represent a risk to human health. Existing control methods such as cutting or herbicide use are subject to practical, economic or environmental constraints in many areas of the UK. Classical biological control of bracken would involve the introduction of specialist bracken-feeding herbivores from other parts of the world. Classical biological weed control has a reasonable record of success in other parts of the world and an exemplary safety record, but remains untried in the UK. The typical development of a classical weed biocontrol programme is presented using the UK bracken programme as an example. Finally the current position of this classical biocontrol programme is reviewed with an assessment of the prospects for the future. With appropriate funding, a full field release of at least one species of South African bracken-feeding moth should be achieved during the mid-1990s.     

Post-dispersal seed predation of non-target weeds in arable crops

Field experiments were conducted to quantify the natural levels of post-dispersal seed predation of arable weed species in spring barley and to identify the main groups of seed predators. Four arable weed species were investigated that were of high biodiversity value, yet of low to moderate competitive ability with the crop. These were Chenopodium album, Sinapis arvensis, Stellaria media and Polygonum aviculare. Exclusion treatments were used to allow selective access to dishes of seeds by different predator groups. Seed predation was highest early in the season, followed by a gradual decline in predation over the summer for all species. All species were taken by invertebrates. The activity of two phytophagous carabid genera showed significant correlations with seed predation levels. However, in general carabid activity was not related to seed predation and this is discussed in terms of the mainly polyphagous nature of many Carabid species that utilized the seed resource early in the season, but then switched to carnivory as prey populations increased. The potential relevance of post-dispersal seed predation to the development of weed management systems that maximize biological control through conservation and optimize herbicide use, is discussed.     

外来广聚萤叶甲对非靶标植物的选择行为

为评估外来广聚萤叶甲作为入侵豚草的潜在生物防治作用物对非靶标植物的潜在风险,分别观察了成虫产卵和初孵幼虫取食的选择行为,首次在杂草天敌寄主专一性测定中采用生存分析（失败时间分析）法,比较了在三裂叶豚草、苍耳、食用农家向日葵三道黑品种、油用向日葵辽丰F51品种、多花向日葵和菊芋等菊科向日葵族非靶标植物上的产卵识别期和初孵幼虫取食前期的差异。研究结果表明,在三裂叶豚草和苍耳上产卵的概率与豚草没有显著差异,但在几种向日葵属植物上产卵的概率显著低于豚草;初孵幼虫对农家向日葵的取食选择概率与豚草没有显著差异,在其他供试植物上的取食前期均显著延长（P〈0.05）。对应用广聚萤叶甲防治外来入侵豚草对非靶标植物的潜在风险进行了讨论。     

空心莲子草的分布、危害与防除对策

空心莲子草是一种重要的外来入侵恶性杂草,20世纪80年代以来该草自然扩展成为水域和陆地两个生态类型,形成单一优势种群使入侵地的生物多样性遭到破坏。在水域的空心莲子草可通过人工打捞和利用其天敌控制;在旱地除利用天敌外,还需通过除草剂、物种竞争、化感作用、植物病原菌和人工拔除等措施进行防除。本文就其在我国分布、危害及其防治对策进行了综述。     

Biological control of invasive plant species: A stochastic analysis

Biological control agents are regarded as a relatively safe method to control weeds. However, their impact on weeds can be relatively low and unpredictable. The aims of this article were to: (i) assess whether or not a weevil (Apion onopordi) and a mycoherbicide (Sclerotinia sclerotiorum) are desirable as biological agents for the control of Californian thistle (Cirsium arvense) in New Zealand despite their uncertain effectiveness; (ii) identify the combination of control options that is optimal to control the thistle; (iii) analyze the economic consequences of excluding chemicals from the weed control strategy; and (iv) assess the feasibility of the eradication of this weed. Two optimization models were developed and compared: one deterministic model and one stochastic model. The results showed that taking into account the stochastic effectiveness of biological agents can change the optimal integrated strategy, particularly if the biological control agent is relatively expensive. However, for a cheaper biological agent, the stochastic efficacy is less likely to change the optimal control strategy. On the basis of the modeling results, the authors argue that, in the context of the agri‐environmental setting of this article's case study, chemicals can be replaced by more environmentally friendly control options at a relatively low cost. The authors also show that the eradication of the thistle is unlikely, at least given the efficacy of the existing control methods.     

Biological control of weeds in crops: a coordinated European research programme (COST-816)

For dominant weed species that are difficult to control by traditional means, the development of new, selective, control methods that can be implemented in integrated pest management (IPM) is essential. Here, biological control can be the appropriate means of control due to its high degree of selectivity and environmental safety (direct control value). The biocontrol strategy is based on a detailed analysis of the crop environment and, thus, provides a fundamental tool for developing sustainable agroecosystems (indirect, heuristic value). The successful application of biological weed control will lead to substantial reductions in pesticide use and, thus, will also contribute to the conservation, augmentation and utilization of biodiversity in agroecosystems, an explicit objective of IPM. Only cooperative and concerted efforts, such as those envisaged by COST, will allow the effective completion of weed biocontrol projects within a reasonable period of time. At present, over 25 institutions from 14 countries are participating in this COST action. The following six objectives have been defined for COST-816: to bring together European institutions, to promote a programme for scientific research and exchange, to draw up a general protocol for biological weed control in Europe, to integrate biological control into general weed management strategies, to establish a protocol to resolve potential conflicts of interest and to establish a list of agricultural weed species in Europe for biological control. Three principal methods of biological weed control are used in COST-816: the inoculative or classical approach, the system management approach and the inundative or microbial herbicide approach. Initially, Amaranthus spp., Convolvulus arvensis/Calystegia sepium, Chenopodium album and Senecio vulgaris were chosen as target weeds, each being the subject of a working group. A fifth working group on the control of Orobanche spp. control is in preparation. This concentration on a few target weed species has greatly stimulated cooperation and facilitated technology transfer between the research groups     

Factors that influence the level of weed seed predation: A review

Herbicides applied alone have failed to reduce weed populations in agricultural ecosystems. The use of this management strategy has followed other problems such as damage to ecosystems and organisms that live in it. Herbicide resistance in weeds has also occurred more quickly based on the application of herbicides. Today, most scientists are looking for new integrated weed management programs in agricultural ecosystems. Biological control is one of the most effective ways of weed management. In this way, living organisms are used to reduce and control weed species in arable lands. Weed seed predators, including predispersal and postdispersal predators as biological control agents, can be primary factors of weed seed mortality in agricultural ecosystems. This review has discussed factors influencing seed predator populations, activity, and granivory. Knowledge of the interrelations between factors and seed predators can contribute to designing future strategies that augment weed seed predator activity and enhance weed seed consumption as a component of an integrated weed management system.     

Solid substrate for production of Alternaria alternata conidia: a potential mycoherbicide for the control of Eichhornia crassipes (water hyacinth)

Eichhornia crassipes (water hyacinth), a major aquatic weed in India, is one of the targets in a biological weed control research programme in India. A fungal pathogen, Alternaria alternata, is being evaluated as a biological control agent for this weed. The feasibility of solid substrate for the mass production of A. alternata has been examined. Conidia production and virulence of A. alternata were affected by temperature, light and incubation period. The highest number of conidia were produced on rice seed followed by wheat, sorghum, maize seeds and cornmeal at 20°C when exposed to near‐ultraviolet than on the other substrates, while the least conidia were observed on these substrates under light conditions. At 20°C, large numbers of virulent conidia were produced on rice seeds after 4 weeks of incubation under constant dark conditions. Henceforth, the use of rice seeds as a solid substrate for production of A. alternata could be a feasible method to produce conidia in a village co‐operative scenario in India.     

Experimental methods in plant competition research in crop-weed systems

The implications of recent studies on the inappropriatness of replacement series and additive methods in competition studies, and some possible alternatives, are discussed in the context of weed research, Replacement series are usually inadequate to assess competitive interactions and can be misleading. In particular they may be biased in favour of the larger species. Many of the criticisms of replacement series also apply to additive experiments. Response models relating yield per individual to the densities of the species in the mixture provide methodology for answering many questions about mixtures. This paper proposes a framework for using these models to: (i) measure the effect of weed species on yield per individual and yield per unit area for the crop and weed species; (ii) develop methods of biological control of weeds both within a seaons and over seasons, based on the interference between crop and weed species and the population biology of the weed species; (iii) establish a cost-benefit analysis of certain of the biological weed-control programmes. The inclusion of the effect of relative emergence time and management practices in response models is considered as well as experimental design for crop-weed experiments.