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Recent Developments in the Management of the Invasive Plant Parthenium Hysterophorus Using Natural Enemies

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Recent Developments in the Management of the Invasive Plant Parthenium Hysterophorus Using Natural Enemies Strathie L et al Proc S Afr Sug Technol Ass (2016) 89: 307-313 SHORT, NON-REFEREED PAPER RECENT DEVELOPMENTS IN THE MANAGEMENT OF THE INVASIVE PLANT PARTHENIUM HYSTEROPHORUS USING NATURAL ENEMIES STRATHIE LW1, DEN BREEYEN A2, SAMBO S1, CHIDAWANYIKA F1 AND GAREEB M1 Agricultural Research Council, Plant Protection Research Institute, 1Private Bag X6006, Hilton, 3245, South Africa 2Private Bag X 5017, Stellenbosch, 7599, South Africa [email protected], [email protected], [email protected], [email protected] [email protected] Abstract The rampant spread of the invasive alien plant Parthenium hysterophorus (Asteraceae) in subtropical South Africa prompted research into biological control methods more than a decade ago. Parthenium impacts broadly on agriculture, biodiversity conservation and health. Elsewhere, significant control has been achieved over time, using a combination of biological control agents. In South Africa, four host-specific biocontrol agents affecting the leaves, stems or seeds of parthenium have been introduced sequentially since 2010, after evaluation of their suitability. Mass-rearing, releases and post-release evaluation of these agents are undertaken to assist widespread establishment. Variable establishment and spread of the agents has occurred. Biocontrol has the potential to contribute significantly to management of the weed, but greater awareness, understanding, and adoption is required in all sectors, including the sugarcane industry. Keywords: parthenium, weed management, biological control agents Introduction Parthenium hysterophorus L. (Asteraceae: Heliantheae), an annual herbaceous plant from Central and South America, has invaded more than 34 countries around the globe (Adkins and Shabbir, 2014), with infestations increasing particularly since the 1970’s (Evans, 1997). Parthenium causes severe economic losses in Africa (McConnachie et al., 2011; Nigatu et al., 2010), Asia (Nath, 1988; Adkins et al., 2005) and Australia (Chippendale and Panetta, 1994; Navie et al., 1996). Climatic modelling indicates that its invasive range may expand considerably further (McConnachie et al., 2011; Mainali et al., 2015; Kriticos et al., 2015). Infestations impact on grazing and crop production agriculture (particularly small-scale), conservation of biodiversity, as well as human and animal health due to severe allergic reactions (respiratory and skin) (Dhileepan and Strathie, 2009; Adkins and Shabbir, 2014). In South Africa, parthenium invades KwaZulu-Natal (KZN), Mpumalanga and, to a lesser extent, North-West and Limpopo provinces, occurring in crops and fallow lands, along roadsides and watercourses, in areas for the protection of biodiversity, and around homesteads and surrounds (McConnachie et al., 2011; Strathie et al., 2011). Globally, extensive control programmes on parthenium have been limited. Various control options are used, but manual 307 Strathie L et al Proc S Afr Sug Technol Ass (2016) 89: 307-313 removal and mechanical control are inadvisable. Chemical control is effective under some circumstances; however, repeated follow-ups are required until desirable vegetation returns. Chemical control is not always economically feasible, particularly where dense stands invade extensive areas (Adkins and Shabbir, 2014). Biological control, using selected, host specific natural enemies (insects and pathogens) introduced from the countries of origin of the plant, offers long-term, sustainable control of parthenium. Biocontrol may be utilised in an integrated weed management programme. Using a suite of introduced natural enemies, biological control has contributed significantly to reduction in the extent and spread of parthenium in Australia, considerably decreasing its severity as an invader (McFadyen, 1992; Dhileepan, 2001; Dhileepan and McFadyen, 2012a, 2012b). Biocontrol has been utilised to some extent in India (e.g. Jayanth, 1987). South Africa embarked on a biocontrol programme on parthenium in 2003 (Strathie et al., 2011), benefitting from technology developed in Australia, reducing the need for overseas surveys, and providing access to founder colonies and information on agents. In South Africa, the distribution and potential spread of parthenium (McConnachie et al., 2011), soil seed banks (unpublished data1), competitive plant species (van der Laan et al., 2008), and the suitability of biological control agents for introduction (Strathie et al., 2011, McConnachie, 2015a and 2015b), followed by field implementation, have been investigated. A national strategy for the management of parthenium in South Africa, developed by key stakeholders, set goals for coordinated national management of the weed (Terblanche, 2014a; Terblanche et al., 2016), and an implementation plan outlined activities, role players, and timeframes (Terblanche, 2014b). The winter rust fungus, Puccinia abrupta var. partheniicola (H.S. Jackson) Parmelee (Uredinales), was not deliberately introduced, but was found to be present on parthenium in North-West province in 1995 (Wood and Scholler, 2002), and has since been discovered more widely. Its impact is considered to be limited. To date, four biological control agents have been introduced into South Africa, following evaluation (Ntushelo and Wood, 2008; Retief et al., 2013; McConnachie et al., 2015a; Strathie et al., 2011; Strathie and McConnachie, 2012; Strathie, 2014). In 2010, the summer rust fungus, P. xanthii var. parthenii-hysterophorae Seier, HC Evans and Á Romero (Uredinales), was the first agent to be released, followed by the stem- boring weevil Listronotus setosipennis (Hustache) (Coleoptera: Curculionidae) and the leaf- feeding beetle Zygogramma bicolorata Pallister (Coleoptera: Chrysomelidae) in 2013, and most recently the seed-feeding weevil Smicronyx lutulentus Dietz (Coleoptera: Curculionidae) in 2015. Results of field implementation are briefly discussed. Methods Under glasshouse conditions, potted parthenium plants were inoculated with the summer rust fungus (Retief et al., 2013). Whole, heavily rust infected plants were planted in the field at 1-2 m intervals with an average of nine plants per site, to allow establishment and natural spread. Establishment and spread of the summer rust fungus were monitored twice during the growing season to record disease incidence. Parthenium insect agents were mass-reared in laboratories and glasshouses (McConnachie, 2015a; Strathie and McConnachie, 2012; Strathie, 2014). Initially, releases were undertaken at 1 L. Strathie and A. McConnachie, ARC-PPRI, Cedara 308 Strathie L et al Proc S Afr Sug Technol Ass (2016) 89: 307-313 as many sites as possible in densely invaded areas in KZN and Mpumalanga. Regular releases of agents were conducted at least once per month per region, depending on agent availability and site suitability, mainly during the wet season when parthenium, an annual plant, flourishes. Agent activity is also higher during such periods. The presence or absence, abundance of various life stages, and damage levels were assessed at the start and end of consecutive growing seasons, using fixed period (30 minutes) surveys at all early release sites. Ten stems per site were dissected for L. setosipennis. Spread was assessed using a 0.5 m x 0.5 m quadrat at 25 m intervals along a transect extending from the release point until beyond the last observable presence of the weevil. Plant and insect parameters were measured. For S. lutulentus, floral material was collected to check for subsequent adult emergence. Results Rust-infected plants were planted at 12 and five sites in KZN and Mpumalanga, respectively, from 2010 onwards. Although initial releases failed, subsequent releases resulted in confirmed establishment in 2012 in Mpumalanga and in 2014 in KZN. Within four years of release, P. xanthii had spread up to 50 km. Rust incidence varies, depending on the site conditions and season, although high levels have been observed in several instances, impacting particularly on seedlings. Since 2013, a total of 18 648 L. setosipennis adult weevils have been released at 87 sites in KZN and Mpumalanga, and about 30 143 Z. bicolorata, mostly adults, have been released at 135 sites. Initially at least 100 individuals were released per site. More recently, higher numbers of both agents were released per site to facilitate establishment. Since 2015, about 17 512 S. lutulentus adult weevils have been released at 41 sites in KZN and Mpumalanga. Releases followed the guidelines of the national strategy for parthenium management. Mass-rearing and releases of all four agents continues. After the first season of releases, L. setosipennis had persisted at 45% of sites in KZN and at all release sites in Mpumalanga province, while Z. bicolorata had persisted at more than 50% of release sites in both KZN and Mpumalanga provinces, with extensive defoliation observed at a few sites. Both agents were confirmed to have established by 2014, after a year in the field. Establishment has varied, with some sites seemingly more suitable than others. The stem- boring weevil has established more readily than the leaf-feeding beetle, with establishment of the weevil at about 44% of surveyed sites by February 2015, and at 50% or more of surveyed sites by late summer 2016. Abundance was variable. More than two years after release, the stem-boring weevil was dispersed up to 500 m or less from release points. Despite promising initial field persistence of Z. bicolorata, subsequent establishment has been low. By February 2015, the leaf-feeding
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