Effects ofSphacelotheca holciInfection on Morphology and Competitiveness of Johnsongrass (Sorghum halepense)

Abstract

Teliospores ofSphacelotheca holciJack. [=S. cruenta(Kuhn.) Potter] infected johnsongrass [Sorghum halepense(L.) Pers. # SORHA) systemically after inoculation of cut stems in greenhouse studies. A preliminary host range test in the greenhouse revealed that no infection occurred on four varieties of sorghum (S. vulgareL.) and three cultivars of sudangrass (S. SudaneseL.). Infected johnsongrass plants grown in the greenhouse exhibited reduced vegetative growth and altered morphological characteristics compared to healthy johnsongrass plants. The aboveground biomass and lateral rhizome expansion of smutted johnsongrass field transplants were significantly lower than that of uninfected plants. Significant correlations between fraction of johnsongrass stems infected and plant weight, and basal area of plants were observed in field studies. Corn (Zea maysL.) and alfalfa (Medicago sativaL.) grown in competition with johnsongrass, and johnsongrass infected withS. holcireduced the aboveground biomass and rhizome length of johnsongrass plants significantly, compared to that of uninfected johnsongrass plants grown alone in greenhouse studies. Uninfected johnsongrass plants also exhibited higher plant weight than infected plants when both were grown in competition with alfalfa, regardless of the alfalfa planting density in the greenhouse or when measured after 3 months in field trials.