| APPROACH:
The traditional approach for classical biological control will be applied. Explorations will be conducted in the search for natural enemies of targeted weeds and insect pests. Ideally, such explorations are conducted in areas of maximum diversity, i.e., within the land of origin of targets. Candidate biological control agents are selected from the natural enemies discovered and the candidates are characterized as to identification, life history, ecological adaptation/interaction and especially host range or non-target effects. Biotechnological approaches, such as tissue culture, will be employed to assist in analyses of efficiency and specificity as well as to provide media for in vitro culture of targets and candidates. Biological characterization may include olfactometer and electroantennography techniques to evaluate responses to pheromones and kairomones. Candidates and targest may be genetically characterized through modern molecular techniques. All techniques
will be integrated to provide biological control agents acceptable to clients & regulatory agencies in the US.
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CRIS NUMBER: 0404354
SUBFILE: CRIS
PROJECT NUMBER: 0212-22000-023-01S
SPONSOR AGENCY: ARS
PROJECT TYPE: USDA COOPERATIVE AGREEMENT
PROJECT STATUS: NEW
MULTI-STATE PROJECT NUMBER: (N/A)
START DATE: May 5, 2001
TERMINATION DATE: Feb 28, 2006
GRANT PROGRAM: (N/A)
GRANT PROGRAM AREA: (N/A)
CLASSIFICATION HEADINGS
RESEARCH EFFORT CATEGORIES
| BASIC |
20% |
| APPLIED |
80% |
| DEVELOPMENTAL |
0% |
KEYWORDS: biological control (weeds); weed control; biotechnology; integrated pest management; weed control systems; weeds; cooperative research; sustainable agriculture; natural enemies; insect control; insect pests; insect identification; performance evaluation; life history; insect ecology; host range; adaptation; non target organisms; tissue culture; host specificity; olfactometers; electroantennograms; kairomones; insect pheromones; molecular genetics
PROGRESS: Oct 1, 2006 TO Sep 30, 2007
Progress Report Objectives (from AD-416) The objective of this cooperative research is to develop biotechnology and biological control of weeds and pests for the sustainable management of agricultural systems. Approach (from AD-416) The traditional approach for classical biological control will be applied. Explorations will be conducted in the search for natural enemies of targeted weeds and insect pests. Ideally, such explorations are conducted in areas of maximum diversity, i.e., within the land of origin of targets. Candidate biological control agents are selected from the natural enemies discovered and the candidates are characterized as to identification, life history, ecological adaptation/interaction and especially host range or non-target effects. Biotechnological approaches, such as tissue culture, will be employed to assist in analyses of efficiency and specificity as well as to provide media for in vitro culture of targets and candidates. Biological characterization may include olfactometer and electroantennography techniques to evaluate responses to pheromones and kairomones. Candidates and targest may be genetically characterized through modern molecular techniques. All techniques will be integrated to provide biological control agents acceptable to clients & regulatory agencies in the US. Significant Activities that Support Special Target Populations This report serves to document research conducted under a specific cooperative agreement between ARS and the Biotechnology and Biological Control Agency, Rome, Italy. The following weeds were addressed by this project: yellow starthistle, Russian thistle, Scotch thistle, and saltcedar. The work was done in cooperation with the USDA-ARS Exotic and Invasive Weeds Research Unit, Albany, CA and Reno, NV. Screening continued on a Russian population of the flea beetle, Psylliodes chalcomera, a stem borer of yellow starthistle. Field and laboratory bioassays confirmed that the host range of this insect is restricted to the genus Centaurea and does not attack endangered U.S. thistle species. Additional data were recorded on the impact of adult and larval feeding on yellow starthistle. Field collections and subsequent laboratory rearing of the flea beetle were complete, with the goal to provide pre- mated adults stages to USDA-ARS, Albany, CA. Laboratory and field tests were completed using a new diet developed by USDA-ARS, Albany, CA, for the development of immature stages of root and stem boring insects. To address the Russian thistle, the candidate biocontrol agent Baris przewalskyii was collected in Tunisia, a new Lixus sp. from China, and Elasmobaris sp. from Tunisia. No-choice introductory trials were conducted on several Salsola spp. and other commercial Chenopodiaceae. The results to date showed that the 3 weevils under evaluation were able to oviposit and their larvae to grow only within the genus Salsola. The artificial diet showed positive results. With the Scotch thistle, preliminary host range bioassays were conducted with a Turkish population of Psylliodes sp. nr. chalcomera, collected on Onopordum acanthium near Goreme in central Turkey. Results of a choice test showed a clear adult feeding preference for the Scotch thistle. For saltcedar, field surveys were made in Turkey, China, Greece and Tunisia to identify and collect natural enemies of Tamarix parviflora and T. canariensis. Genetic bioassays were conducted with different insect natural enemies using the technology to sort sibling species.
IMPACT: 2006-10-01 TO 2007-09-30
PUBLICATION INFORMATION: 2006-10-01 TO 2007-09-30
PROJECT CONTACT INFORMATION
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