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ARS Home » Pacific West Area » Albany, California » Western Regional Research Center » Invasive Species and Pollinator Health » Research » Publications at this Location » Publication #257993
Title: Prospects for Classical Biological Control of Saharan Mustard (Brassica tournefortii)

Author
item Rector, Brian
item HARIZANOVA, VILI - Agricultural University Of Bulgaria
item KASHEFI, JAVID - European Biological Control Laboratory (EBCL)
item CRISTOFARO, MASSIMO - Enea Casaccia Research Center

Submitted to: Meeting Abstract
Publication Type: Other
Publication Acceptance Date: 5/10/2010
Publication Date: N/A
Citation: N/A

Interpretive Summary:

Technical Abstract: Saharan mustard (Brassica tournefortii) is a winter annual plant that is native to the Mediterranean Basin and is becoming highly invasive in the Sonoran and Mojave Deserts and adjacent areas and has spread great distances along highways from its original infestation. It is becoming a serious problem in natural areas where weed management is not a direct economic priority. Classical biological control is being considered as a control strategy for this weed. This presentation provides an overview of biological control of weeds and addresses the specific potential for its successful application to Saharan mustard. A case study of a confamilial target weed (Lepidium latifolium) is presented and advantages of having an active biological control program targeting a closely related plant are discussed.