A Historical Perspective of Pathogen Biological Control of Aquatic Plants

Abstract

Pathogens were not seriously considered as biological control agents for aquatic plants in the United States until the Chesapeake Bay Eurasian watermilfoil decline occurred in the 1960s. The decline and suggestion that it was induced by pathogens spawned interest in the use of pathogens as biological control agents for nuisance aquatic species. In the years that followed, emphasis was placed on finding pathogen agents for some of the most problematic aquatic weeds, including waterhyacinth, Eurasian watermilfoil, and hydrilla. The scientist that has contributed the most to our knowledge of pathogen biological control in aquatic plants has been Dr. Raghavan Charudattan (University of Florida, Gainesville, FL). For the past 40 yr, he has authored or coauthored more than 50 manuscripts devoted to the subject in peer-reviewed journals, books, and proceedings.