Similar experiment – different conclusion; a response to the recent proposition of Septoria lepidii as a potentially important biological control agent for weedy species of Lepidium in North America

ABSTRACT

Following preliminary host-specificity testing Septori lepidii Desm. was recently proposed as a potentially important biological control agent for invasive Lepidium species in North America. Conversely, a previous, unpublished assessment of S. lepidii for biocontrol of Lepidium latifolium found the pathogen to be unsuitable due to infection of the American native Lepidium huberi.

KEYWORDS:

• Cardaria
• hoary cress
• non-target attack
• perennial pepperweed

Disclosure statement

No financial interest or benefit has arisen from direct application of the research reported on here.

Funding

This work was supported by the Wyoming Biological Control Steering Committee; the Idaho State Department of Agriculture; the Bureau of Indian Affairs through the University of Idaho; and USDA-APHIS-CPHST.

ORCID

Marion Karin Seier http://orcid.org/0000-0002-6842-0808