Chemical Control Of Lagenidium, A Fungal Pathogen Of Marine Crustacea

Abstract

ABSTRACT Effects of 12 potentially fungitoxic compounds on growth and development of two strains of Lagenidium callinectes Couch were studied. The compounds tested were Benlate, Captan, Dichlone, Difolaton, DS 9073, Dyrene, malachite green, Manzate 200 (Dithane M‐45), Terrachlor, tribasic copper sulfate, and Vitavax. In vitro tests included determination of the minimum lethal concentration (LC 100 ) of each fungicide, the effects of the LC 100 on length of motility, flagellar retraction or detachment, encystment and germination, and the length of time necessary for the LC 100 of each fungicide to kill zoospores of L. callinectes. Various animal toxicity tests were conducted also with several of the fungitoxic compounds. In evaluating the total efficacy of these 12 compounds, only two, malachite green and DS 9073, appear to be of potential use as disease deterrents in mariculture. The problems associated with the use of each of these compounds are discussed.