Title: CSIRO to investigate biological control for Cape tulip
Biological control is being investigated as a means to control Cape tulips, which are one of the worst pasture pests in southern Australia. CSIRO and the Department of Agriculture and Food, Western Australia (DAFWA) are collaborating on a one-year study to see if it is feasible to control one and two-leaf Cape tulips (Moraea flaccida and M. miniata) using the rust fungus Puccinia moraeae as a biological control agent. CSIRO Research Team Leader Dr John Scott said various rust isolates will be tested to see how pathogenic they are on Cape tulips occurring in Australia. They will also be tested on a few closely-related, non-target plant species.
Cape tulip (photp: Paul Yeoh, CSIRO Entomology)
Dr Scott said Cape tulips appear to be suitable targets for biological control because there are only a few close relatives among Australian native species and no related crops. This initial study, funded by DAFWA, will yield information on the aggressiveness of the rust on Cape tulips and assist in determining its biological control potential. “It will also provide preliminary information on the susceptibility of non-target plant species to the rust. This is an important first step in deciding if the rust should undergo future comprehensive host-specificity testing,” Dr Scott said.
Contact Dr John K Scott, CSIRO Entomology (08) 9333 6647 john.k.scott@csiro.au csiro.au/org/ento…
