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Biocontrol of Purple Nutsedge by Bactra verutana Zeller in a Greenhouse

Published online by Cambridge University Press:  12 June 2017

K.E. Frick  and
P.C. Quimby Jr.
K.E. Frick
Affiliation:
South. Weed Sci. Lab., Agric. Res. Serv., U.S. Dep. Agric., Stoneville, MS 38776
P.C. Quimby Jr.
Affiliation:
South. Weed Sci. Lab., Agric. Res. Serv., U.S. Dep. Agric., Stoneville, MS 38776
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Abstract

The degree of control of purple nutsedge (Cyperus rotundus L.) provided by Bactra verutana Zeller, a native moth, was evaluated for various stress conditions. Two, three, or four weekly infestations each with three larvae per live shoot, reduced purple nutsedge dry weight an average 77% compared with an average 55% for one infestation. Eight weekly infestations reduced plant dry weight 98%. Neither caging of the larvae on the plants nor osmotic stress with NaCl to −8 bars influenced larval efficacy, but nitrogen deficiency did reduce the effect of the larvae about 75%. Purple nutsedge had no effect on the dry weight of cucumber (Cucumis sativus L., ‘Straight Eight’) after 1 month, whether larvae were or were not present. Purple nutsedge did reduce the plant dry weight of okra (Abelmoschus esculentus (L.) Moench, ‘Clemson Spineless’) 64%, but repeated (eight) weekly infestations of larvae gave a plant weight of okra equal to that of okra grown without purple nutsedge. Purple nutsedge reduced the bulb and root dry weight of onion (Allium cepa L., ‘Big Valley’) 37%, but repeated weekly infestations of larvae gave onion growth equal to that of onion grown without purple nutsedge.

Type
Research Article
Information
Weed Science , Volume 25 , Issue 1 , January 1977 , pp. 13 - 17
Copyright
Copyright © 1977 by the Weed Science Society of America 

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References

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