Track 2-2-1: Plant Diseases, Insect Pests and Weed Management

Description

Common buffelgrass Cenchrus ciliaris (T-4464) is an introduced species intensively planted in Mexico to increase productivity on rangelands. Studies have shown that the species produces 5 to 10 times more forage as compared to native species on rangelands (Martin et al., 1995). Previous studies in the Gulf of Mexico have shown that the fungus Pyricularia grisea causes a disease in buffelgrass known as "leaf blight" and induce serious damage to the plant affecting forage production and nutritive quality (Ocumpaugh and Rodríguez, 1998; González, 2002). Injuries begin in the inferior leafs as small dark stains that later are converted in injuries bronze color of round and elliptic form, necrotic, with dark red margins and with a chlorotic yellow halo (Rodriguez et al., 1999). A high humidity and temperature condition in the Pacific Northwest during the last years is believed to be creating ideal conditions for Pyricularia which is suspected to affect buffelgrass. Currently, no data are available in this region to confirm fungus presence and its impact on forage and seed productivity on buffelgrass pastures. The study was conducted at north central Sonora, Mexico to: a) evaluate the incidence and damage intensity of Pyricularia grisea in buffelgrass pastures and b) to determine its impact on forage and seed production.

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Leaf Blast Pyricularia grisea Effects on Buffelgrass Forage and Seed Production in Northwestern Mexico

Common buffelgrass Cenchrus ciliaris (T-4464) is an introduced species intensively planted in Mexico to increase productivity on rangelands. Studies have shown that the species produces 5 to 10 times more forage as compared to native species on rangelands (Martin et al., 1995). Previous studies in the Gulf of Mexico have shown that the fungus Pyricularia grisea causes a disease in buffelgrass known as "leaf blight" and induce serious damage to the plant affecting forage production and nutritive quality (Ocumpaugh and Rodríguez, 1998; González, 2002). Injuries begin in the inferior leafs as small dark stains that later are converted in injuries bronze color of round and elliptic form, necrotic, with dark red margins and with a chlorotic yellow halo (Rodriguez et al., 1999). A high humidity and temperature condition in the Pacific Northwest during the last years is believed to be creating ideal conditions for Pyricularia which is suspected to affect buffelgrass. Currently, no data are available in this region to confirm fungus presence and its impact on forage and seed productivity on buffelgrass pastures. The study was conducted at north central Sonora, Mexico to: a) evaluate the incidence and damage intensity of Pyricularia grisea in buffelgrass pastures and b) to determine its impact on forage and seed production.