Biological control of parthenium (Parthenium hysterophorus): the Australian experience

ABSTRACT

Parthenium is a Weed of National Significance in Australia. Biological control of parthenium in Australia commenced in 1977 and since then nine insect species and two rust fungi have been introduced and established. Seven of them are widespread, however the time taken for field establishment varied widely between various agents, ranging from one to 15 years. Among them, the stem-galling Epiblema moth, the stem-boring Listronotus weevil, the seed-feeding Smicronyx weevil and the root-feeding Carmenta moth occur in all parthenium-infested areas at high population densities. The leaf-feeding Zygogramma beetle occurs only in central and southern Queensland, and not in northern Queensland. The parthenium summer rust occurs seasonally in central and northern Queensland, while the parthenium winter rust is more widespread in southern Queensland than in central Queensland, but does not occur in north Queensland. The sap-feeding Stobaera planthopper and the leaf-mining Bucculatrix moth established and are widespread, but their damage levels remain very low. The stem-galling Conotrachelus weevil and the stem-boring Platphalonidia moth are believed to be established, but at very low abundance. Biological control has resulted in significant reductions in the abundance and impact of parthenium in Australia. As a result, the area infested with parthenium in central Queensland has declined since the mid-1990s. Due to the absence of many of the effective agents in southern and south-eastern Queensland, agents from central Queensland are being redistributed there. Additionally, based on Australian success, many of these agents have also been introduced into other countries around the world.     

银胶菊(Parthenium hysterophorus)中抗TMV活性成分的分离及活性测定

采用活性跟踪法从银胶菊中分离获得抗病毒活性物质,经质谱和核磁共振分析,确定该物质为小白菊内酯.采用半叶枯斑法和叶圆盘法测定了其对烟草花叶病毒(Tobacco mosaic virus,TMV)的抑制效果,结果表明:0.2 mg/mL的小白菊内酯在混合接种和药液浸泡两种处理中均表现出较好的体外抑制TMV活性,其抑制率分别为69.0%和72.1%;在离体条件下对烟草叶圆盘中的烟草花叶病毒复制也具有良好的抑制效果,抑制率为72.3%.     

Spread pathways of the invasive weed Parthenium hysterophorus L.: The potential for water dispersal

Parthenium hysterophorus L. (Asteraceae) utilises multiple mechanisms to facilitate its dispersal. It has been speculated that the cypsela, the propagule of this species, can be dispersed by water under varying environmental conditions. Four experiments were conducted to test this hypothesis, using simulated shaking and immersion to test floating ability and viability of the propagule in water. The influence of the acidity of the immersion medium on cypsela viability was also examined. Our results revealed that the freshly harvested cypselae could float on river water for at least 20 days, although around 80% sank within a week if moderate or severe turbulence was applied. Sinkage was observed to be more rapid in naked seeds (within a day) than in cypsela (within a week). On still water surfaces, germination occurred within a week but extended to 1.5 weeks under turbulent conditions due to sinkage. In river water, initial germination of floating cypselae was greater (70%) under illuminated conditions as compared to dark conditions (20%). The viability of immersed cypselae was found to remain high in distilled water for 45 days, when immersion was in cool conditions (10 or 15°C). However, in moderate (20 and 24°C) or warm (25 and 30°C) conditions, the rate of viability loss increased, and at 34°C, around 50% of the cypselae died after 20 days of immersion. Similar trends for cypselae longevity were observed in studies using river and pond water; viability loss was faster, especially in pond water. In summary, a proportion of cypselae will float in turbulent water and could be carried significant distances in river systems. Immersed cypselae can remain viable for weeks and can germinate on contact with soil. Water bodies or floods are therefore considered as important pathways in parthenium weed dispersal; hence, post‐flood monitoring is strongly recommended to minimise its spread.     

Screening of phytotoxicity of Alternaria macrospora MKP1 against Parthenium hysterophorus L.

Parthenium hysterophorus L. an exotic, pernicious weed is considered as one of the most troublesome weeds for agricultural sector by virtue of its high ecological amplitude and adaptability. Microbes and their by-products are now proved to be a worthy alternative to toxic chemicals used for weed management. Alternaria macrospora MKPI was isolated from the parthenium leaves infected with leaf blight and found pathogenic to the weed. The herbicidal potential of cell free culture filtrate of A. macrospora MKP1 has been tested against parthenium by employing detached leaf bioassay and seed germination bioassay and a significant damage was exhibited by the cultural filtrate of pathogen to the parthenium leaves and seeds.     

Activity enhancement of Zygogramma bicolorata,a biocontrol agent of Parthenium hysterophorus,by temperature regulated diapause aversion

Diapause is a unique strategy of dormancy in insects to avoid unfavourable conditions. The exotic beetle Zygogramma bicolorata, is an effective biological control agent of Parthenium hysterophorus in India, Adults diapause in soil during December to May. As a result, there is delay in its effectiveness on the plant that reaches to flowering and seed production by the time the beetle is able to build up its population after emerging from diapause. Therefore, a study was conducted to explore possibilities of diapause aversion by temperature regulation. Results indicated that exposure of newly emerged adults to heat treatment of 35°C and to low temperature of 10°C could reduce diapause in Z. bicolorata. The low temperature can also be used as a medium for the storage of the mass reared beetles for a long time without having negative effect on their longevity and fecundity.     

入侵植物银胶菊在不同生境下表型可塑性和构件生物量

研究了入侵植物银胶菊在4种不同小生境间花果期形态特征变化和构件生物量特征。结果显示:在植株密度小但土壤肥沃的小生境中,植株各形态指标如茎长、茎直径和花序直径等都明显高于其它小生境,在生物量结构特征上则表现为总生物量和花果生物量所占比例的升高。随着植株密度的增加以及土壤肥力下降,上述各形态指标都发生了较明显的变化,生物量投资也进行了优化配置,银胶菊表现出了较高的形态可塑性。银胶菊与觅光和竞争相关的几个指标如叶和根的比例都增加,但用于生殖构件的比例却减少了。相关分析显示,银胶菊花果期各构件生物量与高度成正相关,与密度为负相关,并受环境因素的制约。表明,较高的形态可塑性和较强的生殖配置策略可能是银胶菊成功入侵我国的重要特征。     

Evaluation of Alternaria alternata ITCC4896 for use as mycoherbicide to control Parthenium hysterophorus

Mycoherbicides are specialty biotechnology products which employ the use of fungi or fungal metabolites as non-chemical alternatives, thereby reducing the input of harmful chemicals to control noxious weeds. The present communication emphasises the potential of an indigenous isolate of Alternaria alternata ITCC 4896 as a mycoherbicide for the global weed Parthenium hysterophorus. Of the various spore concentrations tested by in vitro detached leaf bioassay, 1 × 10⁶ spores/ml was the most effective, inducing 89.2% leaf area damage on the seventh day and was further tested by the whole plant bioassay. Both in vitro detached leaf assay and whole plant bioassay exhibited a similar trend in disease development, exhibiting 50% damage at 96 hours post-treatment. However, 100% mortality was observed in the whole plant bioassay on the seventh day. This is the very first report on the bioweedicidal potential of Alternaria alternata ITCC 4896 (LC#508) for use as a mycoherbicide for Parthenium hysterophorus.     

Phenological behaviour of Parthenium hysterophorus in response to climatic variations according to the extended BBCH scale

Considering the importance of ecological and biological traits in imparting invasive success to the alien species, the phenological behaviour of an alien invasive weed Parthenium hysterophorus was documented according to the extended BBCH scale in four different seasons. A phenological calendar was prepared using both two‐ and three‐ digit coding system, precisely describing the developmental stages of the weed. The phenological documentation is further supplemented with the dates corresponding to a particular growth stage, pictures of the representative growth stages and meteorological data of all the four seasons. Results revealed that the phenology of the weed altered in response to the changing temperature and humidity conditions but no apparent climatic condition could inhibit its germination or flowering. However, the emergence of inflorescence was highly sensitive to the temperature/photoperiodic conditions. Variations in the phenological traits of P. hysterophorus with changing environmental conditions explain the acclimatisation potential of the weed permitting its vast spread in the non‐native regions. Since the given phenological illustrations are accurate, unambiguous and coded as per an internationally recognised scale, they could be exploited for agronomic practices, weed management programmes, and research purposes.     

Formulation of phytotoxins from Phoma sp. FGCC#18 for the management of Parthenium hysterophorus L.

Biological control is a relatively cheap and most feasible long-term approach for controlling deadly weeds. Parthenium hysterophorus L. is a pernicious weed, imposing deleterious economic effects on humans and livestock. Microbial products thus offer a non-chemical alternative for controlling a noxious, invasive and pernicious weed like Parthenium. Phoma is a well-known phytopathogen responsible for many diseases in plants and is known to produce an array of bioactive extracellular toxic compounds, i.e. agribiologicals. Before application these have to be effectively formulated to enhance their absorption and translocation within the foliar tissues. Adjuvants are formulatives of microbial bioherbicides which ensure maximum herbicidal performance. Research on adjuvant and formulation technology for ecofriendly agrochemicals has advanced rapidly in recent years. Phytotoxins from Phoma sp. FGCC#18 have been tested for their compatibility with different formulants. Phytotoxicity damage was studied by seedling and detached leaf bioassays after different hours post-treatment. Tween 80 at 0.5% was found to be the best formulant, while the combination of Tween 80 and coconut oil at 0.5% exhibited maximum damage to Parthenium seedlings and detached leaves.     

入侵植物银胶菊对不同氮、磷水平的繁殖适应性

通过模拟野外生境,研究了入侵植物银胶菊（Parthenium hysterophorus L.）在不同氮、磷养分水平下的繁殖特征,探讨其对土壤养分增加的繁殖适应性及繁殖能力。结果表明：在一定范围内,随氮水平的增加,银胶菊分枝数、头状花序数、繁殖器官的生物量及其比例、结实率等显著增加;对于磷养分来说,仅株高和种子千粒重明显增加,其余参数未见明显增加。银胶菊主要通过提高种子产量适应氮养分丰富的生境,而通过提高种子质量才能适应磷养分丰富的生境。土壤氮、磷养分的增加,提高了其繁殖能力,使其具有根据环境养分调节繁殖特性的能力,实现对不同养分资源生境的入侵。     

银胶菊叶和花提取物对南方根结线虫的毒杀活性比较

为进一步明确银胶菊(Parthenium hysterophorus L.)的杀线虫活性,对银胶菊叶和花的不同溶剂提取物、甲醇提取物的不同萃取物以及甲醇提取物碱水层的不同极性组分对南方根结线虫(Meloidogyne incognita Chitwood)的杀虫活性进行了检测,并对不同提取物、萃取物和萃取组分进行了生物碱的定性分析.结果表明:银胶菊叶和花的蒸馏水、甲醇、乙酸乙酯和石油醚提取物的得率分别为24.5％和20.3％、19.6％和10.9％、6.8％和7.7％、2.0％和2.7％,其中,叶和花的蒸馏水和甲醇提取物的杀线虫活性均较强,而石油醚提取物的杀线虫活性最弱.用质量体积分数1.0％和0.5％的叶和花蒸馏水提取物分别处理24和48 h后试虫的校正死亡率均达到100.00％;用质量体积分数1.0％和0.5％的叶和花甲醇提取物处理48 h,试虫的校正死亡率均大于90％.叶和花甲醇提取物的碱水层、三氯甲烷Ⅰ层和Ⅱ层萃取物均具有一定的杀线虫活性,其中,用质量体积分数1.0％的花和叶碱水层萃取物以及花的三氯甲烷Ⅰ层萃取物分别处理48 h,试虫的校正死亡率均为100.00％,而三氯甲烷Ⅱ层萃取物的杀线虫活性最弱.银胶菊叶和花甲醇提取物碱水层的11个不同极性组分(A1～A11)也表现出不同程度的杀线虫活性,其中,用质量体积分数0.2％和0.1％花的A2[溶剂为V(三氯甲烷)∶V(甲醇)=10∶1]和A7[溶剂为V(三氯甲烷)∶v甲醇)=1∶1]组分以及叶的A2和A6[溶剂为V(三氯甲烷)∶V(甲醇)=2∶1]组分处理48 h后,试虫的校正死亡率均达100.00％,显著高于其他组分.定性实验结果表明:银胶菊叶和花中具有杀线虫活性的提取物、萃取物和萃取组分中均含有生物碱.研究结果说明:银胶菊花的杀线虫活性高于叶片,其毒杀活性不仅与提取部位及溶剂的种类和极性有关,还与提取物浓度及作用时间等因素有关.     

Vermicomposting--An effective tool for the management of invasive weed Parthenium hysterophorus

This study reports the results of vermicomposting with Eisenia fetida of Parthenium hysterophorus mixed with cow dung in different ratios (25%, 50% and 75%) in a 18 weeks experiment. In all the treatments, a decrease in pH, OC_total and C:N ratio, but increase in EC, N_total, P_aval, Ca_total, K_total and heavy metals was recorded. The cocoons production and growth rate (biomass gain worm⁻¹ day⁻¹) were maximum in 100% cow dung. The results indicated that parthenium can be a raw material for vermicomposting if mix with cow dung in appropriate quantity.     

Enhanced Phytoremediation of Cadmium-Contaminated Soil by Parthenium hysterophorus Plant: Effect of Gibberellic Acid (GA3) and Synthetic Chelator,Alone and in Combinations

The roles of gibberellic acid (GA₃) and ethylenediaminetetraacetic acid (EDTA) in phytoremediation of cadmium (Cd)-contaminated soil by Parthenium hysterophorus plant was investigated. GA₃ (10^?9, 10^?7, and 10^?5M) was applied as a foliar spray. EDTA was added to soil in a single dose (160 mg/kg soil) and split doses (40 mg/kg soil, four split doses). GA₃ and EDTA were used separately and in various combinations. P. hysterophorus was selected due to its fast growth and unpalatable nature to herbivores to reduce the entrance of metal into the food chain. The Cd phytoextraction potential of the P. hysterophorus plant was evaluated for the first time. Cd significantly reduced plant growth and dry biomass (DBM). GA₃ alone increased the plant growth and biomass in Cd-contaminated soil, whereas EDTA reduced it. GA₃ in combination with EDTA significantly increased the growth and biomass. The highest significant DBM was found in treatment T3 (10^?5M GA₃). All treatments of GA₃ or EDTA significantly enhanced the plant Cd uptake and accumulation compared with control (C1). The highest significant root and stem Cd concentrations were found in the combination treatment T11 (GA₃ 10^?5M + EDTA split doses), whereas in leaves it was found in the EDTA treatments. Cd concentration in plant parts increased in the order of stem < leaves < roots. The combination treatment T9 (GA₃ 10^?7M + EDTA split doses) showed the significantly highest total Cd accumulation (8 times greater than control C1, i.e., only Cd used). The GA₃ treatments accumulated more than 50% of the total Cd in the roots, whereas the EDTA treatments showed more than 50% in the leaves. Root dry biomass showed a positive and significant correlation with Cd accumulation. GA₃ is environment friendly as compared with EDTA. Therefore, further investigation of GA₃ is recommended for phytoremediation research for the remediation of metal-contaminated soil.     

Post introductory risk assessment studies on Zygogramma bicolorata (Coleoptera: Chrysomelidae), a classical biological control agent of Parthenium hysterophorus (Asteraceae) in India

Zygogramma bicolorata Pallister (Coleoptera: Chrysomelidae), a biological control agent of Parthenium hysterophorus L. (Asteraceae), was feeding on leaves of Helianthus annuus in India, raising concerns of its host range. Based on the age grading technique, it was shown that the majority of Z. bicolorata on sunflower plants at any time were reproductively immature. This establishes that Z. bicolorata does not pose any risk to sunflower in India.     

Seed germination ecology of Portulaca oleracea L.: an important weed of rice and upland crops

Portulaca oleracea , a C₄ species, is reported to be a serious weed in 45 crops in 81 countries. Experiments were conducted in the laboratory, the screenhouse and the field to determine the influence of environmental factors on seed germination and seedling emergence of P. oleracea . In the laboratory, germination in the dark was low and was not influenced by the tested temperatures (35/25°C, 30/20°C and 25/15°C alternating day/night temperatures). In the light/dark regime, however, germination was lower at 25/15°C and 35/25°C than at 30/20°C (70%, 75% and 81% germination, respectively). In conditions of 106 mM sodium chloride or −0.34 MPa osmotic potential, seeds germinated to only 50% of maximum germination of the control. Germination was not influenced by buffered pH solutions ranging from 5 to 9. In the screenhouse, germination was greatest for seeds placed on the soil surface, but emergence declined with increasing seed burial depth in soil; no seedlings emerged from the depth of 2 cm. Seedling emergence and seedling dry matter were markedly reduced by the addition of rice residue to the soil surface at rates equivalent to 4 to 6 t ha⁻¹. In the field, seedling emergence of P. oleracea was greater under zero till (ZT) (17–20%) than under minimum tillage (6–10%), a likely reflection of low seed burial and exposure of seeds to light with a ZT system. This study identifies some of the factors enabling P. oleracea to be a widespread weed in the humid tropics, and the information could contribute to improved control strategies.     

Germination and emergence of Sorghum bicolor. genotypic and environmentally induced variation in the response to temperature and depth of sowing

Abstract The germination of Sorghum bicolor seeds of 9 genotypes was tested at temperatures between 8°C and 48°C on a thermal gradient plate. Samples were tested from three regions of the panicle expected to differ in temperature during grain filling. Seeds of a tenth genotype, SPV 354, produced in controlled-environment glasshouses at different panicle temperatures, were tested similarly. In addition, the emergence of SPV 354 was measured from planting depths of 2 and 5 cm at mean soil temperatures of 15, 20 and 25°C. Four methods of calculating mean germination rate for the nine genotypes were compared. Germination characters like base, optimum and maximum temperature (T_b, T_o, T_m), thermal time (θ)and the germination rate at T_o(R_max showed only small differences between methods. There was a range of genotypic variation in all characters: T_b 8.5–11.9°C; T_o, 33.2–37.5°C; T_m, 46.8–49.2°C; θ, 23.4–38.0°Cd; R_max, 0.69–1.14-d_-1. In contrast, mean germinability (G) was between 90% and 100% over the temperature range 13–40°C. Panicle temperature had no effect on any germination character in SPV 354. However, deeper burial increased θ for emergence and decreased G, irrespective of soil temperature except at 5 cm. Increasing panicle temperature, by reducing seed size, reduced G and increased θ by about 10% only at 15°C and 5 cm depth.     

Improved germination in seeds of guayule (Parthenium argentatum Gray) following polyethylene glycol and gibberellic acid pretreatments

Suitable conditions for the pretreatment of seeds of guayule were determined with a view to improving germination. These included the addition of thiram (500 mg litre^-1), and applications of GA₄₊₇ alone, or in combination with polyethylene glycol. Significant improvements in the seed germination were seen following applications of PEG at -0.10 MPa. Simultaneous application of GA₄₊₇ with priming improved soil emergence and germination over a wide range of temperatures. No beneficial effects of PEG priming were evident on seed storage.     

Larval parasitism by native insects on the introduced stem-galling moth Epiblema strenuana Walker (Lepidoptera: Tortricidae) and its implications for biological control of Parthenium hysterophorus (Asteraceae)

Abstract  The significance of natural enemies in the failure or reduced effectiveness of weed biological control agents remains largely unknown. Larval and pupal parasitism by native insects in the stem-galling moth Epiblema strenuana was studied in north Queensland, 4 (1986–87) and 16 (1998–99) years after its introduction as a biological-control agent for Parthenium hysterophorus . Specific questions answered in this study are: (i) Has parasitism increased over the years?; (ii) Are the levels of parasitism influenced by the host plant phenology?; and (iii) What are the potential implications of current parasitism levels for the effectiveness of E. strenuana ? There was no increase in the parasitoid species assemblage over the years. In 1986–87, Antrocephalus sp. and Bracon sp. were the most predominant species. The combined larval and pupal parasitism was low (2.6%) and there was no seasonal difference in the parasitism levels. In 1998–99 Bracon sp. was the most prevalent species. Parasitism by Bracon sp. in 1998–99 was several times higher (22.9%) than the combined larval and pupal parasitism in 1986–87. However, parasitism by Bracon sp. remained low (6.5–8.2%) at the beginning of the parthenium-growing season, and reached peak levels (49–53%) only at the end of the season. Parasitism by Bracon sp. was also significantly lower in rosettes (7.2%) than in flowering plants (22.8%). Galling can have a negative impact on the weed only when initiated at the rosette stage. In 1998–99 lower levels of parasitism early in the season when most plants are in the rosette stage suggest that the impact of parasitism on the effectiveness of the gall insect may not be significant.     

土埋深度影响物种水平的种子质量-种子出苗关系

种子出苗对种间关系和群落组成具有重要影响。种内研究表明种子质量与种子出苗之间存在正相关关系, 但这种关系很少在物种水平进行检验, 尤其是在不同土壤埋藏深度条件下。为此, 该文开展了一个因子实验(10种植物和5种土埋深度(0、1、2、4和8 cm))以检验是否在不同土层中“种子质量-种子出苗之间的正相关关系”始终存在。该文在不同土埋深度播种50粒种子(重复5次), 连续30天观测种子出苗, 并提出了一个耐土埋性指标。结果表明: (1) 10种植物的最适出苗深度为0-2 cm土层; 6种植物的最大出苗率发生在1 cm土埋深度。(2)种子质量与耐土埋性之间存在显著的正相关关系, 种子质量越大耐土埋性越强, 适宜出苗的土层越深。(3)当土层较深(4或8 cm)时, 种子出苗率和持续出苗时间随种子质量增加而增大, 种子出苗率与持续出苗时间之间存在正相关关系; 这些关系在较浅土层(0、1或2 cm)并不存在。这些结果有助于进一步理解种子大小与出苗之间的关系, 以及种子出苗过程中的策略。     

外来入侵植物银胶菊水提物对三叶鬼针草和茶条木种子萌发的化感作用

以伴生草本植物三叶鬼针草和能源木本植物茶条木为受试植物,初步研究了外来入侵植物银胶菊根、茎、花水浸提液对二者种子萌发的化感效应。根据发芽率、化感效应敏感指数、发芽速率可以看出,银胶菊不同部位的浸提液在不同浓度下对三叶鬼针草的种子萌发的影响力不同;而对茶条木种子萌发无明显的作用。为选择适宜植物,生物替代防治银胶菊提供依据。