A requirement for extended periods of free water retention for fungal infection continues to limit the development of many potential bioherbicides. The use of hydrophili c polymers in the formulation of bioherbicides to overcome this limitation was investigated, using the potential bioherbicide Colletotrichum orbiculare and weed Xanthium spinosum as a model system. The relative humidity (RH) requirement of C. orbiculare required for adequate infection was > 95%. Water activity (a w ) required for growth of C. orbiculare was > 0.95 a w . A range of three natural and four artiWcial polymers, including gums and polyacrylamide s was tested. All polymers were found to be non-toxic to the fungal spores and thus suitable for use in bioherbicide formulations. Once incorporate d into the formulation, little improvement compared to the non-polyme r controls was observed on treated plants in the absence of dew. Water loss studies of the polymer suspensions were carried out at RHs of 33 and 75%. There were signiWcant diVerences between the polymers' ability to retain water, although some polymers retained up to a maximum of 36% water after 16 h at 75% RH; this was reduced to 3.2% at 33% RH. The a w of most polymers remained suYciently high for growth of C. orbiculare as water content decreased until it approache d zero. It was concluded that possible reasons for polymers not improving disease incidence might have been insuYcient volume of water retained, and/or fungal growth being obstructed by the structure of the polymers as water content and a w decreased.
scite is a Brooklyn-based organization that helps researchers better discover and understand research articles through Smart Citations–citations that display the context of the citation and describe whether the article provides supporting or contrasting evidence. scite is used by students and researchers from around the world and is funded in part by the National Science Foundation and the National Institute on Drug Abuse of the National Institutes of Health.
customersupport@researchsolutions.com
10624 S. Eastern Ave., Ste. A-614
Henderson, NV 89052, USA
This site is protected by reCAPTCHA and the Google Privacy Policy and Terms of Service apply.
Copyright © 2024 scite LLC. All rights reserved.
Made with 💙 for researchers
Part of the Research Solutions Family.