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Effect of Galerucella spp. on survival of purple loosestrife (Lythrum salicaria) roots and crowns

Published online by Cambridge University Press:  12 June 2017

Roger L. Becker
Affiliation:
Department of Agronomy and Plant Genetics, University of Minnesota, St. Paul, MN 55108
David W. Ragsdale
Affiliation:
Department of Entomology, University of Minnesota, St. Paul, MN 55108

Extract

Starch levels, used as a measure of plant stress, were not consistently reduced in root or crown tissue of purple loosestrife plants after 2 yr of severe Galerucella calmariensis or Galerucella pusilla (Coleoptera: Chrysomelidae) defoliation. Early in the season, defoliation from Galerucella spp. approached 100%, but the majority of Lythrum salicaria plants regrew by the end of August, resulting in an average reduction of 81% of the aboveground biomass compared to the control. The stress imposed by Galerucella spp. defoliation was less than that achieved from more severe stress imposed by mechanical shoot clipping at 2- or 4-wk intervals from June to October. Both shoot-clipping treatments killed the majority of plants after one growing season. Galerucella spp. feeding reduced plant stature, which may reduce competitiveness. However, considering the extensive carbohydrate reserves present in the large woody crowns of Lythrum salicaria, it will require in excess of 2 yr of consistent, severe leaf defoliation to cause plant mortality. A combination of stresses, such as winter crown injury, or other biological control agents in addition to Galerucella leaf defoliation may be required for plant mortality.

Type
Special Topics
Copyright
Copyright © 1999 by the Weed Science Society of America 

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