The mycobiota of the weed Mikania micrantha in southern Brazil with particular reference to fungal pathogens for biological control

Abstract

A survey of the fungi associated with the tropical weed Mikania micrantha was conducted during 1988 and 1989 in part of its native range in southern Brazil. Sampling was concentrated mainly in the state of Rio de Janeiro, covering 70 sites in different climatic or ecological zones. Nine species were identified, including the recently described downy mildew species Basidiophora montana and the previously undescribed Mycosphaerella mikania-micranthae sp. nov. with its anamorph Septoria mikania-micranthae. Asperisporium mikaniae comb. nov., Asperisporium mikaniigena comb. nov., Pseudocercospora plunketii comb. nov., and Cercospora mikaniacola are new records for Brazil. Field observations indicate that Basidiophora montana has potential as a classical biological control agent of the weed in Old World subtropical or montane climates, whilst Mycosphaerella mikania-micranthae and the microcyclic rust Puccinia spegazzinii appear to be equally damaging to the host but to have a wider climatic range and thus are highly promising agents for introduction throughout the Palaeotropics.