Abstract
Weeds cause serious problems in agriculture on a global scale. These plants reduce yield and the quality of crops by competing for water, nutrients and sunlight. The improper or excessive usage of herbicides have led to development of resistance in some weed species while contaminating the environment; therefore, biological control has an increasing role as an alternative method for controlling special weed species.
 The aim of this study is to make a brief review of biological control of weeds by pathogens and to characterize two rust fungi (Puccinia lagenophorae and Puccinia xanthii) which are broadly examined recently in a biological control concept and have been found on their hosts, such as common groundsel (Senecio vulgaris L.) and common cocklebur (Xanthium strumarium L.), two common and difficult to manage weeds both in horticultural and agricultural lands also in Hungary.
Highlights
Of the pests which have economic and environmental importance, weeds are one of the most significant (Curtwell McFayden 1998)
The improper or excessive usage of herbicides leads to the development of resistance in the target weed species as well as contamination of the environment; biological control has become an alternative method in the case of controlling a single weed species (Müller-Schärer and Frantzen 1996)
The aim of this study is to make a brief review of biological control of weeds by pathogens and to characterize two rust fungi such as Puccinia lagenophorae and Puccinia xanthii severally which are broadly examined in a biological control concept on their hosts, common groundsel (Senecio vulgaris L.) and common cocklebur (Xanthium strumarium L.) and commonly occur in Hungary both in horticultural and arable lands
Summary
Of the pests which have economic and environmental importance, weeds are one of the most significant (Curtwell McFayden 1998). Classical biocontrol by using of pathogens has been used in several parts of the world to control exotic weeds (Bruckhart and Hasan 1991, Watson 1991). The concept of this approach is to discover highly host-specific and effective agents from the native geographic range of the problematic weeds, examine their safety and effectiveness by experiments and introduce them into various regions where these (difficult to manage) weeds have been found and require control. Biological control of weeds can offer alternatives on economically and environmentally safe approach (Curtwell McFayden 1998) to reach sustainable agricultural production
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