Gardner, D. E. . Unpublished: Biocontrol of Koster's curse (Clidemia hirta) in American Samoa Unpublished
ABSTRACT
Clidemia hirta (Melastomataceae) occurs as a forest weed in Samoa as it does in Hawaii. The Clidemia-specific strain of the fungus Collotrichum gloeosporioides was previously introduced to Hawaii by Dr. Edwardo Trujillo, where it has been somewhat effective in this weed's control in the field. The possibility of using this fungus for Clidemia biocontrol in Samoa was considered. However, whereas Hawaii has no native melastomes, Samoa has seven native melastomataceous species that must be protected from any introduced agents. Therefore, in consideration of C. gloeosporioides for use against C. hirta in Samoa, it was desirable to test the fungus against these native species prior to release. This was thought best done in Hawaii where there were no longer any quarantine restrictions on the fungus and it already occurred in the field. Despite several attempts at arranging with Dr. Art Whistler (UH Botany Department) for the collection of the native melastomes in Samoa and establishing them in the greenhouse in Hawaii, I found them difficult to grow and was unsuccessful at obtaining enough healthy plants to permit testing of the pathogen. Nothing was published on these attempts.
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