Influence of Potential Stress Factors on Anthracnose Development on Xanthium spinosum

Abstract

The fungal pathogen Colletotrichum orbiculare which causes anthracnose of the exotic weed Xanthium spinosum is being evaluated for use as a mycoherbicide for biological control of the weed in Australia. Four experiments investigated the effects of potential stress factors on the host-pathogen interaction. The influences on disease development investigated (in controlled environment chambers) were host moisture stress, simulated rainfall after inoculation, cold temperatures and host age/flowering status (...)