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Biocontrol of Amaranthus spp. in Europe: state of the art

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Abstract

Within European COST Action 816, a 5-year collaboration between scientists from 6 European countries has made an important contribution to the previously unstudied insect fauna associated with Amaranthus spp. in Europe. This provides a basis for future introductions of a non-native biocontrol agent into Europe. In addition, two promising microbial herbicides, based on the fungi Alternaria alternata and Trematophoma lignicola have been characterised. Further work on their use in integrated farming systems is required. The use of microbial herbicides in conjunction with new cropping systems, such as green cover crops or living mulch using Trifolium subterraneum is an approach which offers much potential.

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Authors and Affiliations

  1. CABI Bioscience Centre Switzerland, Delémont, Switzerland

    H.-M. Bürki & D. Schroeder

  2. Long Ashton Research Station, Department of Agricultural Sciences, University of Bristol, Long Ashton, Bristol, UK

    J. Lawrie, M.P. Greaves & V.M. Down

  3. Federal Biological Research Centre for Agriculture and Forestry (BBA), Institute for Technology Assessment in Plant Protection, Kleinmachnow, Germany

    B. Jüttersonke

  4. Slovak University of Agriculture, Nitra, Slovak Republic

    L. Cagán & M. Vráblová

  5. University of Aberdeen, Cruickshank Building, Aberdeen, Scotland, UK

    R. Ghorbani

  6. Botany Department, National Research Centre Dokki, Cairo, Egypt

    E.A. Hassan

Authors
  1. H.-M. Bürki
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  2. J. Lawrie
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  3. M.P. Greaves
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  4. V.M. Down
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  5. B. Jüttersonke
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  6. L. Cagán
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  7. M. Vráblová
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  8. R. Ghorbani
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  9. E.A. Hassan
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  10. D. Schroeder
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Correspondence to H.-M. Bürki.

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Bürki, HM., Lawrie, J., Greaves, M. et al. Biocontrol of Amaranthus spp. in Europe: state of the art. BioControl 46, 197–210 (2001). https://doi.org/10.1023/A:1011461523079

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