Biocontrol of Amaranthus spp. in Europe: state of the art

Within European COST Action 816, a 5-year collaboration between scientists from 6 European countries has made an important contribution to the previou sly unstudied insect fauna associated with Amaranthus spp. in Europe. This provides a basis for future introductions of a non-native biocontrol agent into Europe. In addition, two promising microbial herbicides, based on the fungi Alternaria alternata and Trematophoma lignicola have been characteris ed. Further work on their use in integrated farming systems is required. Th e use of microbial herbicides in conjunction with new cropping systems, suc h as green cover crops or living mulch using Trifolium subterraneum is an a pproach which offers much potential.