Abstract: A bioherbicide and method of use utilizing the fungus Myrothecium verrucaria for controlling Salvinia molesta. In typical applications, the fungus is applied with an adjuvant to Salvinia molesta in amounts effective to kill or suppress the Salvinia molesta. A strain of Myrothecium verrucaria is on deposit with the Department of Biological Sciences, Louisiana Tech University in Ruston, La., and with the patent collection of the International Mycological Institute in Surrey, United Kingdom, where it has been assigned deposit number IMI 368023.

Abstract: A method of reducing or eliminating off-flavor in water or fish by controlling cyanobacteria or algae in the water wherein cyanobacteria or algae produce agents that cause the off-flavor. The cyanobacteria or algae are susceptible to a new Bacterium NRRL B-30043 which heretofore has not been identified or recognized as a useful agent in controlling cyanobacteria or algae. By simply treating a body of water having an off-flavor with Bacterium NRRL B-30043, the off-flavor is reduced or eliminated. Commercial fisheries or nurseries which produce channel catfish for human consumption will benefit from using this environmentally friendly Bacterium NRRL B-30043 to reduce or eliminate off-flavor in the catfish.

Abstract: A method of reducing or eliminating off-flavor in water or fish by controlling cyanobacteria or algae in the water wherein cyanobacteria or algae produce agents that cause the off-flavor. The cyanobacteria or algae are susceptible to a new Bacterium SG-3 which heretofore has not been identified or recognized as a useful agent in controlling cyanobacteria or algae. By simply treating a body of water having an off-flavor with a pathogenic bacterium such as Bacterium SG-3, the off-flavor is reduced or eliminated. Commercial fisheries or nurseries which produce channel catfish for human consumption will benefit from using this environmentally friendly Bacterium SG-3 to reduce or eliminate off-flavor in the catfish.

Abstract: A method is provided for reducing or eliminating off-flavor in water or fish by controlling cyanobacteria or algae in the water or fish wherein the cyanobacteria or algae produce agents that cause the off-flavor. The cyanobacteria or algae are susceptible to a new Bacterium NRRL B-30043 which heretofore has not been identified or recognized as a useful agent in controlling cyanobacteria or algae. By simply treating a body of water having an off-flavor with Bacterium NRRL B-30043, the off-flavor is reduced or eliminated. Commercial fisheries or nurseries which produce channel catfish for human consumption will benefit from using this environmentally friendly Bacterium NRRL B-30043 to reduce or eliminate off-flavor in the catfish.

Abstract: A method of reducing or eliminating off-flavor in water or fish by controlling cyanobacteria or algae in the water wherein cyanobacteria or algae produce agents that cause the off-flavor. The cyanobacteria or algae are susceptible to a new Bacterium SG-3 which heretofore has not been identified or recognized as a useful agent in controlling cyanobacteria or algae. By simply treating a body of water having an off-flavor with a pathogenic bacterium such as Bacterium SG-3, the off-flavor is reduced or eliminated. Commercial fisheries or nurseries which produce channel catfish for human consumption will benefit from using this environmentally friendly Bacterium SG-3 to reduce or eliminate off-flavor in the catfish.

Abstract: A method of reducing or eliminating off-flavor in water or fish by controlling cyanobacteria or algae in the water wherein cyanobacteria or algae produce agents that cause the off-flavor. The cyanobacteria or algae are susceptible to a new Bacterium NRRLB-30043 which heretofore has not been identified or recognized as a useful agent in controlling cyanobacteria or algae. By simply treating a body of water having an off-flavor with Bacterium NRRLB-30043, the off-flavor is reduced or eliminated. Commercial fisheries or nurseries which produce channel catfish for human consumption will benefit from using this environmentally friendly Bacterium NRRLB-30043 to reduce or eliminate off-flavor in the catfish.

Abstract: Methods for the biological control of kudzu (Pueraria lobata) using the fungus Myrothecium verrucaria have been developed. In typical applications, conidia of the fungus are applied by means of a liquid surfactant to kudzu in amounts effective to produce plant lesions which kill or suppress the kudzu. A strain of M. verrucaria is on deposit with the Department of Biological Sciences, Louisiana Tech University in Ruston, La., and with the patent collection of the International Mycological Institute in surrey, UK, where it has been assigned deposit number IMI 368023.

Abstract: A method for biological control of pest grasses such as crabgrass using the fungus Cochliobolus intermedius R. R. Nelson (anamorph Curvularia intermedia Boedijn). The fungus is applied to the grass in amounts effective to produce typical disease symptoms which kill or suppress, and thus control the grass. The fungus may be administered as a foliar application or as granules, either of which may include additives such as surfactants, glucose or starch to enhance the pathogenic action of the fungus. Four isolates of the fungus are on deposit with the Department of Biological Sciences, Louisiana Tech University in Ruston, La. and with the patent collection of the International Mycological Institute in Surrey, UK and have been assigned the numbers 361688 (MT-5), 361689 (CG-L), 375263 (MT-6) and 375264 (MT-7).

Abstract: A method for the biological control of various weeds such as sicklepod using the fungus Myrothecium verrucaria. In a typical application, conidia of the fungus are applied with liquid surfactant to the weeds in amounts effective to produce typical plant lesions which kill or suppress, and thus control, the weeds. In another embodiment, phytotoxin produced by the fungus is used to control the weeds. In still another embodiment a synergistic combination of M. verrucaria and the fungus Alternaria cassiae is used to control sicklepod and in a fourth embodiment phytotoxin produced by M. verrucaria is used synergistically with A. cassiae to control sicklepod. A strain of M. verrucaria is on deposit with the Department of Biological Sciences, Louisiana Tech University in Ruston, La. and with the patent collection of the International Mycological Institute in Surrey, UK and has been assigned the number IMI 368023.

Abstract: A method of isolating microorganisms and viruses, including phages, bacteriophages and cyanophages from an environment, particularly an aquatic environment, and propagating the isolated microorganisms or viruses for inoculum formulation. A specific target organism or selective growth medium is first immobilized in a stable substrate form such as sodium alginate gel pellets. The substrate containing the target organism or growth medium is then introduced into the environment to be sampled and microorganisms and/or viruses which are pathogenic to the immobilized target organism, or which can utilize the nutrient included in the growth medium, colonize the pellets. The colonizing microorganism or viral pathogens are removed from the gel pellets using standard laboratory techniques. One of the isolated pathogens, particularly an isolated viral pathogen, may be selected and propagated for inoculum formulation.

Abstract: A method for biological control of pest grasses such as crabgrass using two species of a fungus selected from the genus Curvularia. The fungus is applied to the grass in amounts effective to produce typical plant lesions which kill or suppress, and thus control, the grass. The fungus may be administered with a surfactant or as granules, either of which may include additives such as glucose to enhance the pathogenic action of the fungus. Two species of the fungus are on deposit with the Department of Biological Sciences, Louisiana Tech University in Ruston, La. and with the International Mycological Institute in Surrey, UK and have been assigned the numbers MT-5 and CG-L.

Abstract: This invention relates to alginate gel pellets containing living fungus capable of producing conidia when exposed to sufficient light and moisture. Fungi are selected and grown for sufficient time to produce inoculum. The fungus cultures are harvested and homogenized for approximately 30 seconds and diluted to a ratio of about 1:3 (v/v) with 1.33% (w/v) sodium alginate in distilled water producing a final concentration of 1.0% sodium alginate and pH of 6.6 to 7.3. Pelletization is then accomplished by dropwise addition into 0.25 M CaCl.sub.2 in water. The resultant alginate gel pellets of approximately 3 to 5 mm in diameter can then be dried and used to inoculate agriculture fields to kill selected weeds.

Abstract: The subject invention concerns a novel bioherbicide and its use to control major weeds found in many fields in the United States. Specifically, Alternaria euphorbiicola Simmons & Engelhard, having the identifying characteristics of deposit NRRL 18056, in an agricultural composition, can be used to effectively control wild poinsettia and weedy spurges. Further, Alternaria euphorbiicola Simmons & Engelhard, having the identifying characteristics of deposit NRRL 18056, in a mixture with Alternaria cassiae can be used to control wild poinsettia and weedy spurges and other undesired vegetation, such as sicklepod, showy crotalaria and coffee senna. Further, the bioherbicide of the invention can be mixed with a chemical herbicide to increase weed control.

Abstract: This invention relates to alginate gel pellets containing living fungus capable of producing conidia when exposed to sufficient light and moisture. Fungi are selected and grown for sufficient time to produce inoculum. The fungus cultures are harvested and homogenized for approximately 30 seconds and diluted to a ratio of about 1:3 (v/v) with 1.33% (w/v) sodium alginate in distilled water producing a final concentration of 1.0% sodium alginate and pH of 6.6 to 7.3. Pelletization is then accomplished by dropwise addition into 0.25M CaCl.sub.2 in water. The resultant alginate gel pellets of approximately 3 to 5 mm in diameter can then be dried and used to inoculate agriculture fields to kill selected weeds.

Abstract: A strain of Colletotrichum coccodes has been discovered which is selectively pathogenic toward eastern black nightshade (Solanum ptycanthum). Formulations comprising propagules of the fungal pathogen are useful for biological control of the eastern black nightshade weed, particularly in agricultural fields.

Abstract: This invention relates to a method for biological control of multiple plant weeds, prickly sida, velvetleaf, and spurred anoda. The control is accomplished using a specific host strain of the fungus Fusarium lateritium to produce typical lesions in and kill the multiple weeds. Fusarium lateritium is on deposit with the USDA-SEA-AR Southern Weed Science Laboratory in Stoneville, Miss.; the Fusarium Research Center, Pennsylvania State University (Collection No. L-105); and with the Agriculture Research Culture Collection (NRRL), Peoria, Ill., and assigned the #12552.

Abstract: This invention relates to a method for biological control of multiple plant weeds, sicklepod, showy crotalaria, and coffee senna. The control is accomplished using a specific host strain of the fungus Alternaria cassiae to produce typical lesions in and kill the multiple weeds. Alternaria cassiae is on deposit with the USDA-SEA-AR Southern Weed Science Laboratory in Stoneville, Mississippi; the Mycological Services, Botany Department, University of Massachusetts, Amherst; and with the Agricultural Research Culture Collection (NRRC), Peoria, Illinois and assigned the #12553.