Friday, August 06, 2004

Attack of the Rust Monsters

Agricultural Research Magazine is reporting on the progress of a study that will evaluate the effects of a fungus as a biological control for yellow starthistle (Centaurea solstitialis). Spores from the rust fungus Puccinia jaceae var. solstitialis were released at a California ranch last summer, a "deadly reunion" between the fungus and the invasive weed it has been known to target in the Mediterrean. The fungus has also been found to attack safflower (Carthamus tinctorius), but plants of that species showed little damage following infection.

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