Catastro y patogenicidad de hongos para el control biologico del jacinto de agua Eichhornia crassipes (Mart.) Solms y su interaccion con Neochetina eichhorniae (Coleoptera: Curculionidae)

Fungal pathogens and insects have been used for years as a successful strategy in the control of water hyacinth (Eichhornia crassipes). A survey was conducted to identify and evaluate fungal isolates as potential biological control agents of water hyacinth in Puerto Rico during 2002 to 2003. One hundred fifty four fungal isolates were identified from water hyacinth leaves. Pathogenicity tests conducted in vitro with Alternaria sp., Myrothecium roridum and Glomerella cingulata isolates confirmed their pathogenicity to water hyacinth leaves. To evaluate insect Neochetina eichhorniae potential to disseminate fungal diseases, combinations of each fungal isolate were tested on whole plants during two experiments under greenhouse conditions. Greenhouse tests confirmed that all three isolates can be disseminated by N. eichhorniae. Higher fungal disease incidence and severity was obtained with individual pathogens rather than pathogen and insects combinations. Combined weevil and fungal pathogen could be a good control for water hyacinth weed.