The infectivity of ten commercial mycorrhizal inoculants was examined in nursery conditions. Corn plants were grown in a soil-based medium and in two different soilless substrates, a potting mix prepared with redwood bark, pine sawdust, calcined clay and sand, and the commercial Sunshine #5 mix, mainly composed of Canadian sphagnum peat moss. The percentage of mycorrhizal colonization obtained with the different mycorrhizal inoculants ranged from 0 to 50%. This variation might reflect the presence or absence of viable propagules, the difference in the recommended rates applied as well as the difference in the content and type of infective propagules of each product. However, the infectivity of each mycorrhizal inoculant was also influenced by the growing media. Two products promoted higher values of mycorrhizal colonization in the Sunshine mix, three in the nursery mix and one in the soil-based medium. Mycorrhizal colonization did not enhance plant growth. Only the plants inoculated with the products that did not promote mycorrhizal colonization increased their growth relative to the non-inoculated controls, suggesting the presence of other growth promoters in the inoculum products. Based on these results, nurseries should conduct preliminary tests to determine which inoculants will perform in their potting mixes to assure the best fit of inoculum with their particular conditions.
The eucalyptus snout beetle is a defoliator with tremendous potential to damage urban and commerciai forest piantings of eucalyp- tus. It has just recentiy been detected in Caiifornia, but experience gained from other parts of the worid gives us advance know/edge of its life history and host prehmnces. As with other recentiy introduced eucalyptus pests, use of host msistance and bioiogicai control appear to be the most appropriate management options.
Kikuyugrass is an invasive, perennial weed of turf-grass in California. Currently, complete renovation of infested turf is the most practical means of control. A less disruptive method was needed to reduce the competitive ability of kikuyugrass while allowing the regrowth of desirable turf species. Treatment with MSMA, triclopyr, and quinclorac did not control kikuyugrass as single applications, but when applied at 4- to 5-wk intervals over a 5-mo period, kikuyugrass was reduced. Sequential applications of two-way combinations of these herbicides in 1991 resulted in reductions of kikuyugrass from 80% to less than 1% of the sward.
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