Potential of fungi for the biological control of some New Zealand weeds

Abstract

The potential for fungi to control 14 important weeds in New Zealand is reviewed. Information provided includes the fungi already known from these weeds in New Zealand, fungi recorded from the native ranges of the weeds, and past work on the control of these weeds using fungi, both in New Zealand and elsewhere. The 14 weeds are: Berberis spp.; Buddleja spp.; Calluna vulgaris; Carduus spp.; Cirsium arvense; Clematis vitalba; Cytisus scoparius; Hakea spp.; Hieracium pilosella; Rubus fruticosus agg.; Senecio jacobaea; Silybum marianum; Solanum mauritianum; and Ulex europaeus. It is concluded that of the 14 weeds, those best suited as targets for biological control using fungi may be Calluna vulgaris, Carduus spp., and Senecio jacobaea, using the classical approach to biological control, and Cirsium arvense, Clematis vitalba, and Cytisus scoparius, using the mycoherbicide approach. Hakea spp. may be suited to both approaches.

Keywords:

• biological control
• fungi
• weeds