Constraints on Asparagus Production: The Association of Ophiomyia simplex (Diptera: Agromyzidae) and Fusarium spp

Production of asparagus (Asparagus offi cinalis L.) is globally constrained by the “early decline” syndrome. The primary causal agents of early decline include Fusarium proliferatum (Matsushima) Nirenberg, F. oxysporum Wollenw. f. sp. asparagi S.I. Cohen, and F. subglutinans Wollenw. & Reinking. These pathogens together contribute to Fusarium crown and root rot (FCRR). Damage to asparagus stems, especially by the asparagus miner (Ophiomyia simplex Loew [Diptera: Agromyzidae]), has been associated with and shown to exacerbate FCRR. This review synthesizes the current information on this tripartite interaction, describes management strategies and their ef! cacy, and highlights needed research. Opportunities for future control of the asparagus miner and associated FCRR are presented. Research areas of interest include investigating the role of semiochemicals in the asparagus miner–Fusarium spp. interaction, identifying effective biological controls for the asparagus miner, and determining source populations of asparagus miner in new asparagus plantings. W.R. Morrison III, J.K. Tuell, and Z. Szendrei, Dep. of Entomology, Michigan State Univ., 243 Natural Science, East Lansing, MI 488241311; M.K. Hausbeck, Dep. of Plant Pathology, Michigan State Univ., 107 Center for Integrated Plant Systems, East Lansing, MI 48824-1115. Received 14 Feb. 2011. *Corresponding author ([email protected]). Abbreviations: FCRR, Fusarium crown and root rot; IPM, integrated pest management. Published in Crop Sci. 51:1414–1423 (2011). doi: 10.2135/cropsci2011.01.0032 Published online 27 May 2011. © Crop Science Society of America | 5585 Guilford Rd., Madison, WI 53711 USA All rights reserved. No part of this periodical may be reproduced or transmitted in any form or by any means, electronic or mechanical, including photocopying, recording, or any information storage and retrieval system, without permission in writing from the publisher. Permission for printing and for reprinting the material contained herein has been obtained by the publisher.