Combining biological and mechanical tactics to suppress Melaleuca quinquenervia

Publication date: Available online 21 March 2018 Source:Biological Control Author(s): Philip W. Tipping, Melissa R. Martin, Min B. Rayamajhi, Paul D. Pratt, Lyn A. Gettys A four y common garden study was initiated using once-cut Melaleuca quinquenervia trees that were subsequently subjected to a full factorial of treatments that included reduced versus unrestricted herbivory from biological control agents, a mechanical treatment (trees were not cut or were cut every 6 m), and an irrigation treatment (trees were irrigated or not). Repeated cutting reduced the total tree biomass by 76.4%, herbivory alone reduced total biomass by 58.7%, and the combination of cutting and herbivory reduced total biomass by 80.1%. Unrestricted herbivory reduced the seed biomass per tree by 93.9% in uncut trees while repeated cutting eliminated all seed production regardless of herbivory. Uncut trees subjected to unrestricted herbivory allocated an average of 8.8% of their biomass to reproductive tissue, while those exposed to restricted herbivory allocated an average of 15.8%. Unrestricted herbivory by biological control agents on uncut trees also reduced the total number of seed capsule clusters by 79.2%, the number of capsules per cluster by up to 20.8%, and the individual seed weight by up to 58.9%. Repeated cutting did reduce the amount of damage to regrowth by one biological control agent (Oxyops vitiosa Coleoptera: Curculionidae) but did not reduce the abundance of (Boreioglycaspis me...

Source: Biological Control - March 22, 2018 Category: Biology Source Type: research