Location: Foreign Disease-Weed Science Research
Project Number: 8044-22000-047-009-I
Project Type: Interagency Reimbursable Agreement
Start Date: Jun 1, 2023
End Date: Dec 30, 2024
Objective:
The primary purpose of this agreement is to release and evaluate the first biological control agent, Ramularia crupinae, approved for the management of the federally noxious weed common crupina (Crupina vulgaris Cass.); thereby, providing a cost-effective tool for landowners, land managers, and state and federal agencies.
The objectives for this project are to: 1) release, evaluate the efficacy, and optimize Ramularia crupinae applications on diverse Crupina vulgaris field populations located in Idaho, Oregon, and the Nez Perce Reservation; and 2) evaluate potential demographic impacts of R. crupinae on C. vulgaris populations.
Approach:
Ramularia crupinae infections will be established in common crupina field populations at trial sites located in Idaho, Oregon, and the Nez Perce Reservation. Protocols will be optimized for Ramularia crupinae field inoculations. The establishment and impact of Ramularia crupinae infections will be assessed.