Selected cultural and environmental parameters influence disease severity of dandelion caused by the potential bioherbicidal fungi, Phoma herbarum and Phoma exigua

Selected cultural and environmental variables were investigated for their influence on the efficacy of Phoma herbarum and Phoma exigua to cause disease on dandelion (Taraxacum officinale) under growth room conditions. In both species, mycelial fragments caused significantly greater disease severity on dandelion than spore suspensions. Mycelial age was not an important factor in disease severity caused by P. herbarum, with all cultures causing high disease ratings. However, younger cultures of P. exigua caused the greatest disease severity on dandelion, but significantly less than that caused by P. herbarum. The initial pH of the growth medium (potato dextrose broth) did not affect disease severity caused by either Phoma species. Increasing concentrations of mycelia of P. herbarum were applied to dandelions that were then exposed to various leaf wetness durations. Disease severity increased with increasing leaf wetness duration. For dandelions exposed to no leaf wetness duration, the greater the mycelial concentration, the greater the disease rating. However, for dandelions exposed to all leaf wetness durations, all concentrations of mycelia caused similar disease ratings. As P. herbarum caused high disease ratings on dandelion, it therefore warrants further investigation as a potential bioherbicide for the control of this weed.