Article 3096 of sci.bio.ecology:
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From: vlinders@rcl.wau.nl (Meindert de Jong)
Subject: REPOST: Biocontrol of Stump Sprouting of Poplars in a Dutch Polder
Message-ID: <CM7BH6.u7@news.wau.nl>
Sender: news@news.wau.nl (News Administrator)
Reply-To: vlinders@rcl.wau.nl
Organization: Wageningen Agricultural University
Date: Sat, 5 Mar 1994 17:05:29 GMT
Lines: 49

GREETINGS!

Last year I started some biological control trials at the
Dutch polder of Flevoland. Flevoland is a brand new Dutch
province of The Netherlands. It was reclaimed from a former
inward sea as early as a half a century ago. In the early
period of reclamation,  reed has been sown by governmental
workers. Most of the land is used for agriculture. Besides
some forest trees were planted. Nowadays, even mature poplar
forests have been developed which are being cut for timber
production.

Clear cutting poses a problem because of sprouting and tille-
ring of the remaining poplar stubs and trunks. This is often
controlled by using a chemical herbicide (glyphosate). Howe-
ver, chemical control is highly unwanted in this region.

Accordingly, I'm investigating biological control of stump
sprouting of poplars by using a fungus. This has been called
the 'mycoherbicide' approach. In order to endeavour this
biological 'weed' control, I have inoculated stumps of just
cut poplar trees by a suitable fungus species. I'm also trying
to control stumps of other deciduous trees in order to manage
the vegeatation in another direction. I am being assisted by
some foresters and students. The mycoherbicide is manufactured
by a Dutch company specialized in biological control. 
 
I'm expecting to get preliminary results at the end of next
summer. If the mycoherbicide turns out to be an effective 
control agent of stump sprouting of poplars and other decidu-
ous trees, then current chemical control could (and should!)
be replaced by biological control. This might cause a small
revolution in sustainable forestry and management of roadside
trees.

Hope at the end of the summer of 1994 the first symptoms will
appear. I would be happy to show you my trials if you happen
to be in Holland.

=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-
Sincerely Yours, dr Meindert D. de Jong    I'm for hire!!!
E-mail: Vlinders@RCL.WAU.NL                ^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^
Voice: (+31) 8370 21937    FAX: (+31) 8370 23110
Photo's of research & researchers and c.v.:
de Jong et al. 1990. Risk Analysis for Biological Control:
A Dutch Case Study in Biocontrol of Prunus serotina by the
Fungus Chondrostereum purpureum. Plant Disease 12:189-194.
Send requests for reprint to: CentreAgrobiologicalResearch
P.O. Box 14, 6700 AA Wageningen, The Netherlands


