Interactions of synthetic herbicides with plant disease and microbial herbicides

Abstract

Synthetic herbicides have the potential to influence plant disease by several mechanisms. They can enhance disease or protect plants from pathogens due to direct effects on the microbe, to effects on the plant, or to effects on both organisms. The particular effect is a function of many factors including the herbicide class and its formulation, the disease species, the plant species, timing of herbicide application and infection, and environmental factors. These secondary effects of herbicides have not been sufficiently studied to fully understand their environmental toxicology implications or their potential for enhanced integrated pest management. Furthermore, understanding these interactions can sometimes be critical in the success of biocontrol of weeds with plant pathogens. © 2007 Springer.