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ARS Home » Northeast Area » Frederick, Maryland » Foreign Disease-Weed Science Research » Research » Publications at this Location » Publication #237701
Title: Life cycle of Uromyces salsolae, a candidate fungal biological control agent for Salsola tragus (Russian thistle)

Author
item Cavin, Craig
item Berner, Dana
item Bruckart, William

Submitted to: Phytopathology
Publication Type: Abstract Only
Publication Acceptance Date: 3/25/2009
Publication Date: 3/25/2009
Citation: Cavin, C.A., Berner, D.K., Bruckart, W.L. 2009. Life cycle of Uromyces salsolae, a candidate fungal biological control agent for Salsola tragus (Russian thistle). Phytopathology. 99:S203.

Interpretive Summary:

Technical Abstract: Salsola tragus (Russian thistle, Chenopodiaceae) is a major weed pest in the western United States. An isolate of the rust fungus Uromyces salsolae from the Yasensky Spit in Russia is currently under evaluation as a candidate for biological control of S. tragus in a Biosafety Level 3 (BL-3) containment greenhouse facility. The life cycle of U. salsolae has been completed in greenhouse studies, demonstrating that it is macrocyclic and autoecious on Russian thistle. Plant inoculations were made with spores from each stage in the fungus life cycle, demonstrating their viability and role in the life cycle. Data will be included in a risk assessment of U. salsolae for biological control of S. tragus.