@INPROCEEDINGS {BEED:2004b,
title = {Biological control of Imperata cylindrica},
author = {Beed, F. and Charudattan, R. and Den Breeyen, A. },
booktitle = {Proceedings of the 4th International Weed Science Congress, 20-24 June 2004, Durban, South Africa},
year = {2004},
pages = {33},
abstract = {An overview will be provided of the prospects for the biological control of the
rhizomatous grass Imperata cylindrica [(L.) Raeuschel]. Imperata cylindrica is
an undisputed target for control technologies in West Africa as it reduces crop
yields and causes the abandonment of agricultural land for resource poor
farmers. Biological control can provide an environmentally friendly,
sustainable and selective method that will be adopted if it provides
advantages over alternative control strategies. The influence of variation
between biotypes of I. cylindrica will be considered in relation to their control
by a single biological organism. The potential of fungal pathogens recovered
from surveys in West Africa will be evaluated including Colletotrichum
caudatum, Drechslera gigantea, Exserohilum rostratum, Glomerella cingulata
and Puccinia rufipes. Malaysian isolates of C. caudatum have previously been
tested as a biocontrol agent against the biotype there and isolates of D.
gigantea and E. rostratum from USA were included in bioherbicide
preparations against an USA biotype of I. cylindrica. Puccinia rufipes could
potentially control this weed; as it is a biotroph, it is likely to act as a
physiological sink to deplete the carbohydrate reserves stored in the
rhizomes. It is the mobilisation of this stored carbohydrate which facilitates
this weed’s competitive advantage to rapidly produce leaves following
disturbance to the ecosystem, such as in slash and burn agriculture. This rust
pathogen has also been observed, along with other biotrophs, in South Africa,
where I. cylindrica is not considered a weed.},
}