Digital Commons Network^™

Efficacy And Safety Of Catnip (Nepeta Cataria) As A Novel Filth Fly Repellent, J. J. Zhu, X.-P. Zeng, D. Berkebile, H.-J. Du, Y. Tong, K. Qian

United States Department of Agriculture-Agricultural Research Service / University of Nebraska-Lincoln: Faculty Publications

Catnip (Nepeta cataria) is known for its pseudo-narcotic effects on cats. Recently, it has been reported as an effective mosquito repellent against several Aedes and Culex species, both topically and spatially. Our laboratory bioassays showed that catnip essential oil (at a dosage of 20 mg) resulted in average repellency rates of 96% against stable flies, Stomoxys calcitrans (L.) and 79% against houseflies, Musca domestica (L.), respectively. This finding suggested that the application of repellent could be used as part of filth fly management. Further evaluations of catnip oil toxicity were conducted to provide a broad-spectrum safety profile of …

Physiological And Environmental Regulation Of Interannual Variability In Co2 Exchange On Rangelands In The Western United States, H. Wayne Polley, William Emmerich, James A. Bradford, Phillip L. Sims, Douglas H. Johnson, Nicanor Z. Saliendra, Tony Svejcar, Raymond Angell, Albert B. Frank, Rebecca L. Phillips, Keirith A. Snyder, Jack A. Morgan

United States Department of Agriculture-Agricultural Research Service / University of Nebraska-Lincoln: Faculty Publications

For most ecosystems, net ecosystem exchange of CO₂ (NEE) varies within and among years in response to environmental change.We analyzed measurements of CO₂ exchange from eight native rangeland ecosystems in the western United States (58 site-years of data) in order to determine the contributions of photosynthetic and respiratory (physiological) components of CO₂ exchange to environmentally caused variation in NEE. Rangelands included Great Plains grasslands, desert shrubland, desert grasslands, and sagebrush steppe.

Pathways For Synthesis, And Possibilities For Genetic Modification Of Sugar Ester Acyl Groups Produced By Trichomes Of Solanaceous Species, Antoaneta B. Kroumova, George J. Wagner

Plant and Soil Sciences Faculty Publications

Glandular trichomes of many plant species synthesize and secrete a variety of phytochemicals that play an important protective role against pathogens and pests. Acyl sugars, in particular, are powerful natural insecticides. We demonstrated the existence of the α-ketoacid elongation (αKAE) pathway, an alternative to the fatty acid synthase (FAS) pathway, for the extension of carbon chains of acyl groups in sugar esters (SE). The α-KAE pathway utilizes one carbon elongation per cycle in contrast to two carbons per cycle in FAS, and it was found to function in a variety of tobaccos and petunia. FAS-mediated elongation was confirmed to participate …

Characterization Of The 5′- And 3′-Terminal Subgenomic Rnas Produced By A Capillovirus: Evidence For A Cp Subgenomic Rna, Satyanarayana Tatineni, Mohammad R. Afunian, Siddarame Gowda, Mark E. Hilf, Moshe Bar-Joseph, William O. Dawson

Department of Plant Pathology: Faculty Publications

The members of Capillovirus genus encode two overlapping open reading frames (ORFs): ORF1 encodes a large polyprotein containing the replication-associated proteins plus a coat protein (CP), and ORF2 encodes a movement protein (MP), located within ORF1 in a different reading frame. Organization of the CP sequence as part of the replicase ORF is unusual in capilloviruses. In this study, we examined the capillovirus genome expression strategy by characterizing viral RNAs produced by Citrus tatter leaf virus (CTLV), isolate ML, a Capillovirus. CTLV-ML produced a genome-length RNA of ∼6.5-kb and two 3′-terminal sgRNAs in infected tissue that contain the MP …

Chlorella Virus Atcv-1 Encodes A Functional Potassium Channel Of 82 Amino Acids, Sabrina Gazzarrini, Ming Kang, Alessandra Abenavoli, Giulia Romani, Claudio Olivari, Daniele Gaslini, Giuseppina Ferrara, James L. Van Etten, Michael Kreim, Stefan M. Kast, Gerhard Thiel, Anna Moroni

Department of Plant Pathology: Faculty Publications

Chlorella virus PBCV-1 (Paramecium bursaria chlorella virus-1) encodes the smallest protein (94 amino acids, named Kcv) previously known to form a functional K+ channel in heterologous systems. In this paper, we characterize another chlorella virus encoded K+ channel protein (82 amino acids, named ATCV-1 Kcv) that forms a functional channel in Xenopus oocytes and rescues Saccharomyces cerevisiae mutants that lack endogenous K+ uptake systems. Compared with the larger PBCV-1 Kcv, ATCV-1 Kcv lacks a cytoplasmic N-terminus and has a reduced number of charged amino acids in its turret domain. Despite these deficiencies, ATCV-1 Kcv accomplishes all the major features of …

The Phycodnaviridae: The Story Of How Tiny Giants Rule The World, W. H. Wilson, James L. Van Etten, M. J. Allen

Department of Plant Pathology: Faculty Publications

The family Phycodnaviridae encompasses a diverse and rapidly expanding collection of large icosahedral, dsDNA viruses that infect algae. These lytic and lysogenic viruses have genomes ranging from 160 to 560 kb. The family consists of six genera based initially on host range and supported by sequence comparisons. The family is monophyletic with branches for each genus, but the phycodnaviruses have evolutionary roots that connect them with several other families of large DNA viruses, referred to as the nucleocytoplasmic large DNA viruses (NCLDV).The phycodnaviruses have diverse genome structures, some with large regions of noncoding sequence and others with regions of ssDNA. …

Choline-Utilizing Microblal Strains For Biologically Controlling Fusarium Head Blight, David A. Schisler, Naseem I. Khan, Michael J. Boehm, Patricia J. Slininger

Department of Plant Pathology: Faculty Publications

Three choline utilizing strains of microorganisms isolated from the anthers of wheat, Aureobasidium pullulans strainAS 55.2, Arthrobacter species strain OH 221.3, and Pseudomonas species strain AS 64.4, are superior antagonists of F. graminearum. These microorganisms are effective for suppression and control of FHB in cereals, particularly in wheat and barley.

Dollar Spot Fungus Sclerotinla Homoeocarpa Produces Oxalic Acid, R. C. Venu, Robert A. Beaulieu, Terrance L. Graham, Ainhoa Martinez Medina, Michael J. Boehm

Department of Plant Pathology: Faculty Publications

Dollar spot, caused by Sclerotinia homoeocarpa,. is one of the most devastating diseases of turfgrass worldwide. Many fungi belonging to the genus Sclerotinia produce oxalic acid along with pectolytic cell wall-degrading enzymes. A series of in vitro experiments showed the relationships among temperature, pH, mycelial growth and acid production. Mycelial growth and acid production were most abundant when S. homoeocarpa was grown between 20 and 30°C. Acid production by S. homoeocarpa appeared to be dependent upon the pH of the environment in which it was grown. High performance liquid chromatography analysis of spent broth revealed the presence of oxalic acid. …

Molecular Characterization Of Citrus Tatter Leaf Virus Historically Associated With Meyer Lemon Trees: Complete Genome Sequence And Development Of Biologically Active In Vitro Transcripts, Satyanarayana Tatineni, Mohammad R. Afunian, Mark E. Hilf, Siddarame Gowda, William O. Dawson, Stephen M. Garnsey

Department of Plant Pathology: Faculty Publications

Citrus tatter leaf virus isolated from Meyer lemon trees (CTLV-ML) from California and Florida induces bud union incompatibility of citrus trees grafted on the widely used trifoliate and trifoliate hybrid rootstocks. The complete genome sequence of CTLV-ML was determined to be 6,495 nucleotides (nts), with two overlapping open reading frames (ORFs) and a poly (A) tail at the 3′ end. The genome organization is similar to other capilloviruses, with ORF1 (nts 37 to 6,354) encoding a putative 242-kDa polyprotein which contains replication-associated domains plus a coat protein (CP), and ORF2 (nts 4,788 to 5,750), which is located within ORF1 in …

Plant-Microbes Interactions In Enhanced Fertilizer-Use Efficiency, Anthony O. Adesemoye, Joseph W. Kloepper

Department of Plant Pathology: Faculty Publications

The continued use of chemical fertilizers and manures for enhanced soil fertility and crop productivity often results in unexpected harmful environmental effects, including leaching of nitrate into groundwater, surface runoff of phosphorus and nitrogen runoff, and eutrophication of aquatic ecosystems. Integrated nutrient management systems are needed to maintain agricultural productivity and protect the environment. Microbial inoculants are promising components of such management systems. This review is a critical summary of the efforts in using microbial inoculants, including plant growth-promoting rhizobacteria and arbuscular mycorrhizal fungi for increasing the use efficiency of fertilizers. Studies with microbial inoculants and nutrients have demonstrated that …

Diet Ph, And Viscosity Affect Development And Survival Of Screwworm Larvae (Diptera: Calliphoridae), M. F. Chaudhury, Steven R. Skoda

United States Department of Agriculture-Agricultural Research Service / University of Nebraska-Lincoln: Faculty Publications

The effects of dietary pH and viscosity on larval development of the New World screwworm, Cochliomyia hominivorax (Coquerel) (Diptera: Calliphoridae), were studied in the laboratory using a gel-based and a cellulose fiber-based media. The mean initial pH of the standard gelled diet was lower (6.5 ± 0.3) than that of the standard cellulose fiber-based diet (6.8 ± 0.6). As larval development progressed, these values decreased to below 6.0 possibly due to the accumulation of acidic metabolic waste. Diets formulated with higher initial pH (7.5) produced a slightly larger and greater number of pupae compared with those for untreated standard diets. …

Farmers And Nature Conservation: What Is Known About Attitudes, Context Factors And Actions Affecting Conservation?, Johan Ahnström, Jenny Höckert, Hanna L. Bergea, Charles A. Francis, Peter Skelton, Lars Hallgren

Department of Agronomy and Horticulture: Faculty Publications

Farmers’ attitudes towards viability of specific conservation practices or actions strongly impact their decisions on adoption and change. This review of ‘attitude’ information reveals a wide range of perceptions about what conservation means and what the impacts of adoption will mean in economic and environmental terms. Farmers operate in a tight financial situation, and in parts of the world they are highly dependent on government subsidies, and cannot afford to risk losing that support. Use of conservation practices is most effective when these are understood in the context of the individual farm, and decisions are rooted in land and resource …

Alternative Methods For Wetland Restoration In The Rainwater Basin, Nebraska, Usa, Nancy Nicolai, James L. Stubbendieck

Department of Agronomy and Horticulture: Faculty Publications

South-central Nebraska is recognized as a focal point of the mid-continent migratory waterfowl flyway. Substantial wetland alterations led to a critical need for restoration. Managers have restored wetlands by scraping with heavy earthmoving equipment to remove excess organic material and near-monocultures of reed canarygrass (Phalaris arundinacea L.) but managers report high costs and topsoil perturbation. Moderate livestock grazing was tested to compare results with those achieved with mechanical techniques. Advantages of grazing could include low costs and less soil perturbation. During the 2006 and 2007 growing seasons, we compared cover of bare ground and open water and plant species …

Nutrient And Chemical Properties Of Aging Golf Course Putting Greens As Impacted By Soil Depth And Mat Development, Ty A. Mcclellan, Roch E. Gaussoin, Bob Shearman, Charles S. Wortmann, Martha Mamo, Garald L. Horse, David B. Marx

Department of Agronomy and Horticulture: Faculty Publications

Nutrient and chemical changes in turfgrass sand-based root zones are not well understood. This study was conducted to characterize nutrient and chemical properties in putting greens influenced by root zone mixture and establishment treatment, putting green age, and soil depth. Putting greens were constructed and established with Agrostis stolonifera L. in sequential years from 1997 to 2000. Treatments included root zone mixtures of 80:20 (v:v) sand and sphagnum peat and 80:15:5 (v:v:v) sand, sphagnum peat, and soil, and accelerated versus controlled establishment. In the establishment year, the accelerated treatment received 2.6-, 3.0-, and 2.6-fold more nitrogen, phosphorus, and potassium, respectively, …

Bulked Segregant Analysis Using The Goldengate Assay To Locate The Rpp3 Locus That Confers Resistance To Soybean Rust In Soybean, D. L. Hyten, James R. Smith, Reid D. Frederick, Mark L. Tucker, Qijian Song, P. B. Cregan

Department of Agronomy and Horticulture: Faculty Publications

Few resistance loci to soybean rust (SBR), caused by Phakopsora pachyrhizi Syd., have been genetically mapped and linked to molecular markers that can be used for marker assisted selection. New technologies are available for single nucleotide polymorphism (SNP) genotyping that can be used to rapidly map traits controlled by single loci such as resistance to SBR. Our objective was to demonstrate that the highthroughput SNP genotyping method known as the GoldenGate assay can be used to perform bulked segregant analysis (BSA) to fi nd candidate regions to facilitate effi cient mapping of a dominant resistant locus to SBR designated Rpp3 …

Mapping And Confirmation Of A New Allele At Rpp1 From Soybean Pi 594538a Conferring Rb Lesion–Type Resistance To Soybean Rust, Nanda Chakraborty, Joe Curley, Reid D. Frederick, D. L. Hyten, Randall L. Nelson, Glen L. Hartman, Brian W. Diers

Department of Agronomy and Horticulture: Faculty Publications

Soybean rust, caused by Phakopsora pachyrhizi (H. Sydow & Sydow), is a destructive soybean [Glycine max (L.) Merr.] disease and identification of new resistance genes is essential for effective rust management. Our research objectives were to map and confirm the location of resistance gene(s) in PI 594538A using a population of 98 F_3:4 lines from across between PI 594538A (reddish-brown [RB] lesions) and the susceptible cultivar Loda (tan [TAN] lesions). The lines were inoculated with the P. pachyrhizi isolate ZM01-1 from Zimbabwe. The RB resistance in PI 594538A mapped on linkage group G as a single dominant gene. …

Agroecology As A Science, A Movement And A Practice: A Review, A. Wezel, S. Bellon, T. Doré, Charles A. Francis, D. Vallod, C. David

Department of Agronomy and Horticulture: Faculty Publications

Agroecology involves various approaches to solve actual challenges of agricultural production. Though agroecology initially dealt primarily with crop production and protection aspects, in recent decades new dimensions such as environmental, social, economic, ethical and development issues are becoming relevant. Today, the term ‘agroecology’ means either a scientific discipline, agricultural practice, or political or social movement. Here we study the different meanings of agroecology. For that we analyse the historical development of agroecology. We present examples from USA, Brazil, Germany, and France. We study and discuss the evolution of different meanings agroecology. The use of the term agroecology can be traced …

Detection And Validation Of Single Feature Polymorphisms Using Rna Expression Data From A Rice Genome Array, Sung-Hyun Kim, Prasanna R. Bhat, Xinping Cui, Harkamal Walia, Jin Xu, Steve Wanamaker, Abdelbagi M. Ismail, Clyde Wilson, Timothy J. Close

Department of Agronomy and Horticulture: Faculty Publications

Background: A large number of genetic variations have been identified in rice. Such variations must in many cases control phenotypic differences in abiotic stress tolerance and other traits. A single feature polymorphism (SFP) is an oligonucleotide array-based polymorphism which can be used for identification of SNPs or insertion/deletions (INDELs) for high throughput genotyping and high density mapping. Here we applied SFP markers to a lingering question about the source of salt tolerance in a particular rice recombinant inbred line (RIL) derived from a salt tolerant and salt sensitive parent. Results: Expression data obtained by hybridizing RNA to an oligonucleotide array …

Antibiotic Use In Animal Production: Environmental Concerns, Teshome H. Regassa, Richard K. Koelsch, Charles S. Wortmann, Richard F. Randle, Akwasi A. Abunyewa

Department of Agronomy and Horticulture: Faculty Publications

Introduction

Antibiotic1 use in animal production has led to improved feed use efficiency and increased growth rates. In turn, these resulted in reduced food production costs and reduced excrement of manure nutrients which may cause pollution problems.

On the other hand, antibiotic use leads to antibiotic resistance and a possible reduction in effectiveness of treatment options for both animals and humans. This publication addresses these issues.

Disease-causing microorganisms2, including bacteria,are the most diverse and numerous organisms on earth. Diverse in their habitat, environmental adaptation, and mechanisms of reproduction, they have short generations with high multiplication rates. Such characteristics help develop …

Fluid Fertilizer’S Role In Sustaining Soils Used For Bio-Fuels Production, John L. Kovar, Douglas Karlen

United States Department of Agriculture-Agricultural Research Service / University of Nebraska-Lincoln: Faculty Publications

The short- and long-term effects on soil nutrient cycling, physical properties, and biological activity of striving for higher grain yields and removing crop residues for bio-fuels production must be understood to provide more quantitative crop and soil management guidelines. This study focuses on potassium (K) and sulfur (S) requirements of corn (Zea mays L.) grown for bioenergy feedstock production. Our objectives for 2008 were to: i) evaluate the performance of several S fertilizers, including liquid ammonium thiosulfate (12-0-0-26S), as S sources for corn grown in Iowa, and ii) establish a comprehensive tillage, nutrient management, crop residue removal, and cover …

Genotypic Variability In Mineral Composition Of Switchgrass, H. M. El-Nashaar, G. Banowetz, S.M. Griffith, M. D. Casler, Kenneth P. Vogel

United States Department of Agriculture-Agricultural Research Service / University of Nebraska-Lincoln: Faculty Publications

Switchgrass (Panicum virgatum L.) is a warm season perennial grass with great potential as an energy crop in the USA. It is widely adapted to many regions of the country, produces large amounts of biomass, serves as a useful forage grass, and provides ecosystem services that benefit soil and water quality and wildlife. Biological and thermochemical technologies are being developed to convert herbaceous biomass, including switchgrass, to energy. The objective of this research was to determine the effect of genotype and production environment on the concentration of minerals that affect the suitability of switchgrass for thermochemical conversion and to …

Comparison Of Passive And Active Canopy Sensors For The Estimation Of Vine Biomass Production, Stamatis Stamatiadis, Dimitris Taskos, Eleftheria Tsadila, Calliopi Christofides, Christos Tsadilas, James S. Schepers

United States Department of Agriculture-Agricultural Research Service / University of Nebraska-Lincoln: Faculty Publications

Recent advances in optical designs and electronic circuits have allowed the transition from passive to active proximal sensors. Instead of relying on the reflectance of natural sunlight, the active sensors measure the reflectance of modulated light from the crop and so they can operate under all lighting conditions. This study compared the potential of active and passive canopy sensors for predicting biomass production in 25–32 randomly selected positions of a Merlot vineyard. Both sensors provided estimates of the normalized difference vegetation index (NDVI) from a nadir view of the canopy at veraison that were good predictors of pruning weight. Although …

Comparative Metabolism Of Benzo(A)Pyrene By Ovarian Microsomes Of Various Species, Deacqunita L. Harris, Ashley C. Huderson, Mohammad S. Niaz, J. Joe Ford, Anthony E. Archibong, Aramandla Ramesh

United States Department of Agriculture-Agricultural Research Service / University of Nebraska-Lincoln: Faculty Publications

Knowledge of the ability of the female reproductive system to metabolize polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons (PAHs) is critical to the diagnosis and management of female infertility and for risk assessment purposes. The PAHs are a family of widespread pollutants that are released into the environment from automobile exhausts, cigarette smoke, burning of refuse, industrial emissions, and hazardous waste sites. In exposed animals, PAHs become activated to reactive metabolites that interfere with target organ function and as a consequence cause toxicity. The extent of susceptibility to PAH exposure may depend on the ability of animals to metabolize these chemicals. The present study …

Protocol For Indicator Scoring In The Soil Management Assessment Framework (Smaf), Brian J. Wienhold, D. L. Karlen, S.S. Andrews, D. E. Stott

United States Department of Agriculture-Agricultural Research Service / University of Nebraska-Lincoln: Faculty Publications

Assessment tools are needed to evaluate agronomic management effects on critical soil functions such as carbon sequestration, nutrient cycling and water partitioning. These tools need to be flexible in terms of selection of soil functions to be assessed and indicators to be measured to ensure that assessments are appropriate for the management goals. The soil management assessment framework (SMAF) is being developed to meet this need. The SMAF uses soil physical, chemical and biological indicator data to assess management effects on soil function using a three-step process for (1) indicator selection, (2) indicator interpretation and (3) integration into an index. …

Morphology Of The Turkey Vagina With And Without An Egg Mass In The Uterus, M. R. Bakst, V. Akuffo

United States Department of Agriculture-Agricultural Research Service / University of Nebraska-Lincoln: Faculty Publications

In this study we examined the gross anatomy of the uterus and vagina in turkeys in egg production. With no uterine egg mass, removal of the tunica serosa that enclosed the uterus revealed deep periodic in-folding of the muscularis transversely circumscribing the sac-like segment. When the connective tissue embracing the neutral buffered formalin fixed vagina was completely teased free, the exposed tubular segment was shaped as a counter-clockwise spiral or as a series of angular, random bends. The uterovaginal junction was flush with the uterine mucosa or projected slightly into the uterine lumen. With a uterine egg mass, the deep …

Upic: Perl Scripts To Determine The Number Of Ssr Markers To Run, R. S. Arias, Linda L. Ballard, Brian E. Scheffler

United States Department of Agriculture-Agricultural Research Service / University of Nebraska-Lincoln: Faculty Publications

We introduce here the concept of Unique Pattern Informative Combinations (UPIC), a decision tool for the cost-effective design of DNA fingerprinting/genotyping experiments using simple-sequence/tandem repeat (SSR/STR) markers. After the first screening of SSR-markers tested on a subset of DNA samples, the user can apply UPIC to find marker combinations that maximize the genetic information obtained by a minimum or desirable number of markers. This allows a cost-effective planning of future experiments. We have developed Perl scripts to calculate all possible subset combinations of SSR markers, and determine based on unique patterns or alleles, which combinations can discriminate among all DNA …

Efficiency And Establishment Of Three Introduced Parasitoids Of The Mealybug Paracoccus Marginatus (Hemiptera: Pseudococcidae), Kaushalya G. Amarasekare, Catharine M. Mannion, Nancy D. Epsky

United States Department of Agriculture-Agricultural Research Service / University of Nebraska-Lincoln: Faculty Publications

Three introduced parasitoids Acerophagus papayae, Anagyrus loecki, and Pseudleptomastix mexicana of the mealybug Paracoccus marginatus have been released in Miami-Dade and Broward counties (Florida) in 2003. Efficiency and establishment of these previously introduced parasitoids to control P. marginatus were measured in 2005 and 2006, at three locations in Homestead (Miami-Dade). Mealybug populations were initially established on three branches (per plant) of 10 hibiscus plants inside closed-sleeve cages. The three treatments, closed, open, and no-cage environments were applied to the three established mealybug populations on each plant. The number of mealybugs and natural enemies was monitored in all treatments. …

Host Range Of Tetramesa Romana Walker (Hymenoptera: Eurytomidae), A Potential Biological Control Of Giant Reed, Arundo Donax L. In North America, John A. Goolsby, Patrick Moran

United States Department of Agriculture-Agricultural Research Service / University of Nebraska-Lincoln: Faculty Publications

The eurytomid wasp, Tetramesa romana Walker was evaluated as a potential biological control agent of the invasive reed grass, Arundo donax in North America. No-choice tests and timed behavioral studies were used to determine the fundamental host range of two genotypes of the wasp collected from Granada, Spain and Perpignan, France. Thirty-five species, including two genotypes of A. donax and seven ecotypes of Phragmites australis, along with closely related grasses, economic grasses and habitat associates were tested. Complete development of both T. romana genotypes was restricted to A. donax and Arundo formosana. The mean number of offspring produced …

Flight Phenology Of Male Cactoblastis Cactorum (Lepidoptera: Pyralidae) At Different Latitudes In The Southeastern United States, Stephen D. Hight, James E. Carpenter

United States Department of Agriculture-Agricultural Research Service / University of Nebraska-Lincoln: Faculty Publications

Long term trapping studies of the invasive moth Cactoblastis cactorum (Berg) were conducted at various latitudes from Puerto Rico to South Carolina. Three flight periods per year were identified at the 5 temperate sites studied, which covered the majority of the infested range on mainland United States. In general, the 3 flight periods across a latitudinal gradient from south Florida to central, coastal South Carolina were a spring flight during Feb-May, a summer flight during Jun-Aug, and a fall flight during Sep-Nov. At any 1 site, each flight period lasted about 2 months. In the tropical areas of the Florida …

Field Assessment Of Host Plant Specificity And Potential Effectiveness Of A Prospective Biological Control Agent, Aceria Salsolae, Of Russian Thistle, Salsola Tragus, Lincoln Smith, Massimo Cristofaro, Enrico De Lillo, Rosita Monfreda, Alessandra Paolini

United States Department of Agriculture-Agricultural Research Service / University of Nebraska-Lincoln: Faculty Publications

The eriophyid mite, Aceria salsolae de Lillo and Sobhian, is being evaluated as a prospective classical biological control agent of invasive alien tumbleweeds, including Salsola tragus, S. collina, S. paulsenii and S. australis, in North America. Previous laboratory experiments to determine the host specificity of the mite indicated that it could sometimes persist and multiply on some nontarget plants, including Bassia hyssopifolia and B. scoparia. These are both European plants whose geographic range overlaps that of the mite, but the mite has never been observed on them in the field. A field experiment was conducted in …