Biological Herbicides: Discovery, Development, Deployment

Chemical herbicides are without question the most effective immediate solution to most weed problems. They are not, however, the only option or necessarily the best for all weed control situations (23, 24, 34). Recent commercialization of two biological herbicides illustrates another weed control technology with potential (24, 27, 44, 50). Abbott Laboratories marketed the fungus Phytophthora palmivora Butler in 1981 for control of strangler vine (Morrenia odorata Lindl.) in Florida citrus groves. The Upjohn Company will market the fungus (Colletotrichum gloeosporioides f. sp. aeschynomene (c.g.a.) in 1982 for control of northern jointvetch [Aeschynomene virginica (L.) B.S.P.] in Arkansas rice (Oryza sativa L.) and soybean [Glycine max (L.) Merr.] fields (45).