Field efficacy of Dactylaria higginsii as a bioherbicide for the control of purple nutsedge (Cyperus rotundus)

An isolate of the fungus Dactylaria higginsii obtained from purple nutsedge in Florida was highly pathogenic to Cyperus spp. The potential of this iso late as a bioherbicide was field tested in natural populations of purple nu tsedge in Gainesville and Jay, FL. The fungus was applied in 0.5% Metamucil (R) as a carrier, and the treatments were: carrier only, 10(5) conidia/ml carrier and 10(6) conidia/ml + carrier. Treatments were applied as single, double, or triple postemergence (POST) sprays at biweekly intervals. The d isease and secondary infections developed in about 5 and 15 d after inocula tion, respectively, killing most of the infected leaves. All weed growth pa rameters and disease progress rates were affected by inoculum dosage and in oculation frequencies. Three inoculations, each at 10(6) conidia/ml, provid ed effective control of purple nutsedge compared to a single inoculation, a s measured by shoot dry weight, tuber numbers, and tuber dry weight. Higher rates of disease progress and disease levels, defined by the area under th e disease progress curve (AUDPC), occurred with three inoculations at 10(6) conidia/ml. Disease progress was slower and the level of weed control was lower at 10(5) conidia/ml compared to the higher inoculum level. Three appl ications of 10(6) conidia/ml provided > 90% nutsedge control. Dactylaria hi gginsii appears to be an effective bioherbicide candidate deserving further development for commercial use.