Ecology Distribution Management Info Impact Info References and Links Contacts

Management Information Chemical: Research by the Lygodium Task Force (2001) has repeatedly shown that Rodeo has the best long-term control over L. japonicum. When Garlon 3A, Garlon 4, and Pathfinder II was use 100% regrowth occured within 8 months, whereas with Rodeo only approximately 5% regrowth of L. japonicum was observed after 8 months. Biological: L. japonicum's more temperate distribution would require the use of biological control agents that are tolerant of cold. Unfortunately, the use of such cold hardy agents might place the native species L. palmatum at risk. Potential candidates have been found but it is unknown how specific their level of predation is. Further research is necessary to determine if the introduction of natural predators would inadvertently hard the native L. palmatum in North America. One of the more prospective biological control agents identified is a rust fungus, Puccinia lygodii, native to South America and naturalized in the United States, which has recently been found infecting L. japonicum. P. lygodii is a glasshouse pest of ornamental Lygodium (Jones, 1987), and may eventually have a role in the control of L. japonicum and its close relative L. microphyllum. P. lygodii infections are characterized by the lower surfaces of the pinnules becoming covered with cinnamon-brown eruptive pustules. Necrotic areas develop around mature, erupted, and coalesced pustules. Severely infected foliage wilts and dies. Microscopic observations of the pustules and spore morphology revealed these eruptive structures to be uredinia (Gooslby et al. 2003; Pemberton et al. 2002; and Rayachhetry, 2001).          Location Specific Management Information Florida (USA) (United States (USA)) L. japonicum has been declared a Category I weed (the most invasive group) by the Florida Exotic Pest Plant Council (Rayachhetry, 2001).          Management Resources/Links 1. Goolsby, J. A., A. D. Wright, and R. W. Pemberton. 2003. Exploratory surveys in Australia and Asia for natural enemies of Old World climbing fern, Lygodium microphyllum: Lygodiaceae Biological Control 28 (2003) 33-46. 2. Lygodium Task Force. 2001. Lygodium Management Plan for Florida.Florida Exotic Pest Plant Council. 3. Pemberton, R. W., J. A. Goolsby, and T. Wright. 2002. Old World Climbing Fern. Biological Control of Invasive Plants in the Eastern United States. 4. Rayachhetry, M. B. 2001. Pathogenicity Assessment of Puccinia lygodii, a Potential Biological Control Agent of Lygodium japonicum in Southeastern United States. Plant Diseases 85:232, 2001.          Results Page: 1