What is a significant drawback of using pathogens for the biological control of aquatic weeds?

Using pathogens for the biological control of aquatic weeds involves the risk of environmental sensitivities, which can significantly impact their effectiveness. Pathogens, like all biological agents, exhibit specific preferences for environmental conditions such as temperature, humidity, and water quality. If these conditions are not optimal, the pathogens may not thrive or effectively target the intended weeds. This limitation is a critical consideration for pest management practitioners, as it affects the predictability and reliability of using these biological agents.

In contrast, the perception that pathogens are effective in all conditions is misleading; in fact, their success can be quite variable. Additionally, while there may be intricate application methods involved in using some biological controls, such complexity does not universally characterize all pathogen applications. Finally, while non-target effects are a consideration in biological control strategies, the primary drawback highlighted here focuses on the environmental sensitivities that directly limit the pathogen's ability to control aquatic weeds effectively.