Cyperus papyrus

Zambian Alien Invasive Species (2014) claims that Òbiological control of papyrus can be achieved by the production of toxin from a novel fungal isolate. The novel isolate, Dactylaria higginsii [ Pseudopyricularia higginsii ], can be grown, and the toxins recovered by the techniques which are well known to those skilled in the art. The fungus can be used to directly and specifically deliver its phytotoxin composition to papyrus. This is delivered to the plant by applying an effective amount of the biologically-active fungus directly to the plant. The fungus produces sufficient quantities of a phytotoxin compound to inhibit the growth, or actually induce mortality of papyrus. The growth of the fungus can also mechanically disrupt nutrient transport in the vascular system of the plant.Ó This material has been developed as a bioherbicide for the control of weedy sedges like purple nutsedge (Cyperus rotundus) (Kadir and Charudattan, 2000) but there seems to be no confirmed evidence of its effectiveness on C. papyrus.