Field Evaluation of a Native Fungus for Control of Melaleuca (Melaleuca quinquenervia) in Southern Florida

Abstract

A native fungus,Botryosphaeria ribis, was evaluated under field conditions to determine its potential to control melaleuca. Applications consisted of either wound inoculations of trees withB. ribisor fresh stump treatments withB. ribisalone or mixed with imazapyr herbicide. There was no mortality among nondefoliated trees inoculated withB. ribis. Mortality ofB. ribis-inoculated trees was increased by three complete defoliation cycles. Defoliated trees inoculated with isolate BR-5 exhibited 100% mortality compared to 17% for defoliated but noninoculated trees. Wounds inoculated withB. ribisduring winter produced longer cankers than did noninoculated wounds. Stump regrowth reduction by treatment withB. ribisalone was less effective than treatment with imazapyr alone. Mixtures ofB. ribiswith imazapyr or imazapyr alone at comparable concentrations did not differ in stump regrowth control.