Location: Foreign Disease-Weed Science Research
Project Number: 8044-30400-001-013-I
Project Type: Interagency Reimbursable Agreement
Start Date: Jun 1, 2025
End Date: Nov 30, 2026
Objective:
The objective of this project is to improve the management of invasive tumbleweed (Russian thistle; Salsola tragus). The safety of a proposed biological control agent (Uromyces salsolae) will be determined, and results will be communicated to stakeholders and regulators.
Approach:
The USDA Agricultural Research Service will conduct risk assessment experiments to determine the pathogenicity of Uromcyes salsolae to two non-target plant species. Scientists conducting research in a secure containment facility will apply Uromcyes salsolae spores to healthy California seablite and American glasswort plants. Plants will be monitored for disease symptom development, and the results will be used to prepare an environmental release petition for USDA Animal and Plant Health Inspection Service.