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Assessment of the microcyclic rust Puccinia lantanae as a classical biological control agent of the pantropical weed Lantana camara

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Thomas, S. E., Evans, H. C., Cortat, G., Koutsidou, C., Day, M. D. and Ellison, C. A. (2021) Assessment of the microcyclic rust Puccinia lantanae as a classical biological control agent of the pantropical weed Lantana camara. Biological Control, 160 . p. 104688. ISSN 1049-9644

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Article Link: https://doi.org/10.1016/j.biocontrol.2021.104688

Publisher URL: https://www.sciencedirect.com/science/article/pii/S1049964421001572

Abstract

Lantana camara is a flowering shrub of the family Verbenaceae, native to the Americas which has become a major invasive weed in the Palaeotropics; affecting both natural and agricultural ecosystems. It has been the focus of classical biological control for over a century but has proven to be a problematic target because of its high genetic diversity. Here, we report on an aggressive pathotype of the microcyclic rust Puccinia lantanae collected in the Amazonian rainforest, which – based on greenhouse screening – is damaging to a wide range of biotypes of the L. camara complex. Host-range testing within the Verbenaceae and related plant families, involving leaf clearing and staining, showed the pathotype to be highly specific to L. camara sensu lato but with detectable symptoms in several other verbenaceous species. These results, together with a taxonomic re-appraisal of Puccinia lantanae, are discussed in relation to the potential of the rust as a classical biological control agent of L. camara. We conclude that this pathotype of P. lantanae is a valuable addition to the biological control armoury and posit that it should be especially successful in humid forest situations.

Item Type:Article
Business groups:Biosecurity Queensland
Additional Information:Open access
Keywords:Biocontrol Lantana complex Rust taxonomy Pathogenicity Host-range screening Verbenaceae
Subjects:Science > Invasive Species > Plants > Biological control
Science > Invasive Species > Plants > Integrated weed control
Plant pests and diseases > Weeds, parasitic plants etc
Plant pests and diseases > Pest control and treatment of diseases. Plant protection
Live Archive:14 Jun 2021 03:46
Last Modified:03 Sep 2021 16:46

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