BIOLOGICAL-CONTROL OF JIMSONWEED (DATURA-STRAMONIUM) WITH ALTERNARIA-CRASSA

In field experiments conducted from 1985 to 1987 in Mississippi and Arkansas, jimsonweed was successfully controlled with the fungus Alternaria crassa (Sacc.) Rands. Conidial applications of the fungus provided an average of 96% control in Mississippi, and 87% control in Arkansas. Mycelial formulations were less effective than conidial applications overall, but during periods of favorable environmental conditions, weed control provided by the mycelial formulations was similar to that provided by conidial preparations. These results indicate that Alternaria crassa has potential as a mycoherbicide for controlling jimsonweed.