Effects of Procecidochares Utilis Parasitism on the Growth of Ageratina Adenophora
Procecidochares utilis,a specialist natural enemy of Ageratina adenophora,was introduced into Kun-ming,Yunnan Province from Tibet region of China as a biocontrol agent in 1984.After establishing its natural popu-lation there,this species gradually spread to Sichuan,Guizhou et al.It was demonstrated the control effect of P.utilis on A.adenophora could be significantly different among different regions and environmental conditions.To investi-gate the effects of parasitism of P.utilis on the growth of A.adenophora,14 populations were selected in Sichuan and Yunnan provinces,where A.adenophora invasion was severe.The parasitized A.adenophora plants were compared to healthy ones from the main branch height,basal diameter,branch number,branch length,main branch biomass,and nutrient content.The results indicated that A.adenophora was not inhabited in growth by the parasitism of P.utilis,but increased in biomass and branch numbers due to the accumulation of nutrients in the parasitized parts.In conclusion,P.utilis cannot be used as an effective biocontrol agent to suppress the spread of A.adenophora in south-western China so far.More effective methods are needed to control the expansion of A.adenophora.
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