162 



Illinois Natural History Survey Bulletin 



Vol. 27, Art. 2 



terial scab of gladiolus by use of aldrin 

 to prevent white grub injury to the corms. 

 Chemical compounds obtained from min- 

 eral deposits in the state hold promise 

 for the control of some plant diseases 

 (Schenck Sc Carter 1954). Research on 

 these compounds through the co-operation 

 of the Geochemical and Coal sections of 

 the Illinois Geological Survey and the 

 Wright Air Development Center of the 

 United States Air Force has been fruitful 

 in the development of fluorine compounds 

 with fungicidal properties against certain 

 disease-producing fungi. Research along 

 these lines resulted in publication of six 

 articles on the fungistatic capacities of 

 aromatic fluorine compounds in relation 

 to cloth-rotting fungi (Tehon l95\/.i, 

 ]952b, 1954; Tehon ^& Wolcvrz 1952./, 

 \952b; Finger, Reed, & Tehon 1955). 

 Research on the physiology of plants 

 and on organisms that produce plant dis- 

 eases will aid materially in the develop- 

 ment of more effective controls for these 

 diseases. One objective of this research 

 is to develop a more realistic approach to 

 the control of diseases through obtaining 

 information on the movement of raw ma- 

 terials, elaborated foods, and chemical 



compounds introduced into woody plants. 

 I he addition of a plant physiologist to 

 our staff would materially increase re- 

 search in this field. 



In our study of several thousand speci- 

 mens of diseased ornamental plants each 

 year, many unknown fungi are obtained. 

 These fungi need to be identified and 

 those that are found affecting new hosts 

 or that have not been found previously in 

 the state should be added to our myco- 

 logical collection. To adequately handle 

 this work, to make monographic studies 

 of economical!}' important fungi, and to 

 attack new mycological problems as they 

 appear, a mycologist with special interest 

 in economic fungi would greatly facilitate 

 our research. 



As we contemplate the future possibili- 

 ties for research by the Section of Ap- 

 plied Botany and Plant Pathology, it is 

 evident that there are unlimited oppor- 

 tunities not only to continue the research 

 now in progress but to expand into new 

 fields of research. This statement applies 

 to the botanical survey, the study of vege- 

 tation, the study of diseases of ornamental 

 plants, and the study of the various kinds 

 of fungi that occur in the state. 



