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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 #183085
Title: NON-TARGET HOST PLANT LIST FOR HOST SPECIFICITY TESTING OR RUSSIAN THISTLE (SALSOLA TRAGUS L.) (CHENOPODIACEAE).

Author
item PITCAIRN, MICHAEL - CA DEPT OF FOOD & AGRICUL
item AKERS, R - CA DEPT OF FOOD & AGRIC
item Smith, Lincoln

Submitted to: Government Publication/Report
Publication Type: Government Publication
Publication Acceptance Date: 4/17/2002
Publication Date: 4/17/2002
Citation: Pitcairn, M.J., Akers, R.P., Smith, L. 2002. Non-target host plant list for host specificity testing on Russian thistle (Salsola tragus L.)(Chenopodiaceae). Petition submitted to Technical Advisory Group, USDA-APHIS. TAG Petition No. 02-01. 29 pp. (Government Publication/Report).

Interpretive Summary:

Technical Abstract: Russian thistle (tumbleweed) is an invasive alien weed that infests about 100 million acres in the western United States. It causes millions of dollars of damage because it is a major weed in dryland farming; tumbling plants disrupt automobile traffic, clog irrigation canals and pile up against fences and houses; it harbors and multiplies important insect pests (especially the beet leafhopper) of many crops in California's Central Valley; and its pollen is a potent human allergen. This document presents reasons for developing new biological control agents for Russian thistle and lists plant species that are proposed for nontarget risk assessment. This document will be reviewed by members of the Technical Advisory Group (TAG), who will make a recommendations regarding modifications of the list and proposed research activities.