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ARS Home » Plains Area » Sidney, Montana » Northern Plains Agricultural Research Laboratory » Pest Management Research » Research » Publications at this Location » Publication #198965

Title: GENOTYPE DIVERSITY OF SALSOLA TRAGUS AND POTENTIAL ORIGINS OF A PREVIOUSLY UNIDENTIFIED INVASIVE SALSOLA FROM CALIFORNIA AND ARIZONA

Author
item Gaskin, John
item Ryan, Frederick
item HRUSA, G. - CA DEPT. FOOD AG.

Submitted to: Madrono
Publication Type: Peer Reviewed Journal
Publication Acceptance Date: 6/15/2005
Publication Date: 9/1/2006
Citation: Gaskin, J.F., Ryan, F.J., Hrusa, G.F. 2006. Genotype diversity of salsola tragus and potential origins of a previously unidentified invasive salsola from california and arizona. Madrono. 53:246-253.

Interpretive Summary: Various Salsola spp. (Russian thistle, tumble weed) have been introduced to the USA, and some of these are considered noxious or invasive in certain regions. We analyzed DNA from various USA and Old World collections to determine where our invasive plants came from. This information will be used to determine the exact identity of USA invasive Salsola, and will help determine the areas from which potential biological control agents should be collected to fight these weeds.

Technical Abstract: Various Salsola spp. have been introduced to the USA, and some of these are considered noxious or invasive in certain regions. The genus is taxonomically challenging, and recent morphological, cytological, and molecular work has shown that an unknown taxon, previously identified as S. tragus, but recently temporarily designated as Type B, with unknown origins, exists in California and Arizona. Type B’s origins and identity are a point of concern for biological control efforts, as it is much less affected by fungal biological control agents than the sympatric invasive S. tragus. Initial studies in 2005 indicated that Type B is morphologically very similar to S. kali subsp. austroafricana which has been collected in southern Africa. Here we use DNA sequence data from a PEPC intron to compare USA and Old World specimens, and results indicate that S. kali subsp. austroafricana is genetically identical to Type B and distinct from S. tragus. It is unclear if S. kali subsp. austroafricana is native to southern Africa or to the northern hemisphere of the Old World, and further investigations in both regions are needed.