Herbicide resistant creeping bentgrass

Posted on March 11, 2012 by Sylvan Kaufman

Another study on the potential effects of escaped transgenic creeping bentgrass, Agrostis stolonifera, is out.  This study shows that in Central Oregon wetland communities are at particular risk of invasion by creeping bentgrass and by redtop, Agrostis gigantea. Redtop can cross-pollinate with creeping bentgrass potentially picking up the glyphosate herbicide resistance gene.   Currently control of these invasive grasses principally relies on herbicides containing glyphosate.

Bollman, M. A. et al. 2012. Wetland and riparian plant communities at risk of invasion by transgenic herbicide-resistant Agrostis spp. in central Oregon.  Plant Ecology 213(3):355-370.

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Fungi helping cheatgrass (Bromus tectorum) invasions in North America

Posted on February 10, 2012 by Sylvan Kaufman

Researchers discovered that a new fungal-plant relationship developed between cheatgrass plants (Bromus tectorum) and a fire-dependent fungus (Morchella).  The fungus grows into the plant tissues and increases the biomass and seed production of the grass.  More biomass leads to more frequent fires and more seed production means more regeneration after a fire.  The fungus also increased the ability of seeds to survive heat from fires.  The fungal species (phylotypes) originated in western North America and do not occur in Europe.  This may be another explanation as to why cheatgrass invasion has been so successful in North America.

Melissa Baynes, George Newcombe, Linley Dixon, Lisa Castlebury, Kerry O’Donnell.  2012. A novel plant–fungal mutualism associated with fire. Fungal Biology 16(1): dx.doi.org/10.1016/j.funbio.2011.10.008)

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Survey shows Maine nursery industry concern over invasive plants

Posted on January 24, 2012 by Sylvan Kaufman

A survey of Maine nursery and landscaping businesses showed that most respondents were concerned about invasive ornamental plants and tried to steer their customers towards buying non-invasive plants.  Most would also support labeling of invasive ornamental plants or would not carry invasive plants.  Interestingly, most were neutral about whether their customers were concerned about invasive plants.

Coats, V. C., L. B. Stack, and M. E. Rumpho.  2011. Maine nursery and landscape industry perspectives on invasive plant issues.  Invasive Plant Science and Management 4:378-389.

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Management Guidelines for Florida Aquatic Plants now Online

Posted on January 3, 2012 by Sylvan Kaufman

The University of Florida Center for Aquatic and Invasive Plants has a new website for learning about aquatic invasive plant management, http://plants.ifas.ufl.edu/manage/.  The resources on the site will be helpful for land managers in many states.

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Field Guide for Pacific Coast Forest Invaders

Posted on December 14, 2011 by Sylvan Kaufman

Similar to its guide for Southern forests, the USDA Forest Service has published a guide to invasive plants in Pacific Coast forests.  Download it at http://www.fs.fed.us/pnw/pubs/pnw_gtr817.pdf or order a copy from http://www.fs.fed.us/pnw/publications/gtrs.shtml

Gray, A. N., K. Barndt and S. H. Reichard. 2011.  Nonnative invasive plants of Pacific coast forests: a field guide for identification.  Gen. Tech. Rep. PNW-GTR-817. Portland, OR.  USDA Forest Service, Pacific Northwest Research Station. 91 p.

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Updated Florida Non-Native Plant Management Guidelines

Posted on November 8, 2011 by Sylvan Kaufman

The University of Florida IFAS Extension has published a revised edition of “Integrated Management of Nonnative Plants in Natural Areas of Florida” by K. A. Langeland, J. A. Ferrell, B. Sellers, G. E. MacDonald, and R. K. Stocker (SP 242).  This book covers management of non-native plants growing in Florida, but not identification.  The authors recommend Langeland, K. A. and Craddock Burks, 2008. “Identification and Biology of Non-Native Plants in Florida’s Natural Areas” (SP 257) for identification.

Both books are availaable to purchase from http://ifasbooks.ifas.ufl.edu/c-103-invasive-and-non-native-plants.aspx.  The management publication can be downloaded from  http://edis.ifas.ufl.edu/wg209 and the identification guide can be downloaded from http://www.fleppc.org/ID_book.htm

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Lyme disease, Japanese barberry and flame throwers

Posted on June 20, 2011 by Sylvan Kaufman

Two Connecticut Agricultural Experiment Station researchers have been spending a lot of time among the barberry.  One frequently cited study of theirs links the prevalence of Lyme-disease carrying ticks with Japanese barberry infestations.  Another study discusses control techniques including herbicides and propane torches.

Williams, S.C. et al. 2009. Managing Japanese barberry (Ranunculales: Berberidaceae) infestations reduces blacklegged tick (Acari: Ixodidae) abundance and infection prevalence with Borrelia burgdorferi (Spirochaetales: Spirochaetaceae).  Environmental Entomology 38(4): 977-984.

Ward, J. S. et al. 2009. Controlling Japanese barberry (Berberis thunbergii DC) in southern New England, USA. Forest Ecology and Management 257(2):561-566.

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Texas Invasive Species Citizen Science initiative

Posted on June 9, 2011 by Sylvan Kaufman

A partnership of organizations in Texas has put together a citizen scientist program for reporting invasive species across the state.  The web site has online training tools and a handbook as well as a section on information for individual species, including many invasive plant species.  The informational pages include native-look alikes and control techniques.  http://www.texasinvasives.org/i101/

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