Compiling a Plant List for Testing the Host Range of Agents

An important early step in host range testing is to compile a list of plants against which the agent is to be tested. It is impossible to test potential agents against all plant species. The challenge is to compile a list that is short enough to be practicable, yet sufficiently comprehensive to be scientifically sound (Wapshere 1974). A scientifically sound list will allow the definition of the host range of the agent and, therefore, will help to determine the risk to economically and environmentally important plants that the biological control agent may pose when released.

A collection of various plants used for testing the host
range of agents of Bryophyllum spp.