Alternaria cassiae Jurair and Khan applied as conidia at 1 × 105 spores/ml controlled 100% of sicklepod, and 1 × 106 spores/ml controlled coffee senna in the greenhouse. In the field, sicklepod control did not differ between one or two fungal applications, but coffee senna control increased following two applications. Although showy crotalaria resisted A. cassiae infection more than the other two weeds, total biomass was reduced significantly in both greenhouse and field tests.

An invert emulsion with low viscosity and excellent water-holding properties was developed for delivery of fungal weed pathogens (mycoherbicides). Alternaria cassiae, a pathogen of sicklepod, proliferated after incorporation of spores in the emulsion. The oil phase (CDQ-1) contained paraffin wax, a paraffinic spray oil, and an unsaturated monoglyceride emulsifier (Myverol 18–99). The oil phase was mixed 1:1 (by weight) with water to form the invert, which was sprayed onto glass plates for testing of water retention properties. Water contents ranged from 22% (with A. cassiae present) to 41% (without fungus) for 0.6 to 0.7-mm2 spray deposits after 24-h storage at 21 C and 65% relative humidity. An invert emulsion containing lactofen was prepared using the CDQ-1 formulation.