Current Issue: September/October 2008

The Northern PlainFacts electronic newsletter offers brief updates on research, personnel, and events from both the Agricultural Systems Research Unit and Pest Management Research Unit at NPARL, and includes contact names and information for those interested in further details. 
 

Research Biologist speaks at North American Weed Management Association  ARS researcher to train Azores personnel in fungal production         Research Biologist speaks at North American Weed Management Association NPARL Research Biologist and Research Leader Dr. John Gaskin was invited to speak at the North American Weed Management Association (NAWMA) in Billings, MT, September 15-18, 2008. Dr. Gaskin’s presentation was titled, “CSI Weeds (DNA Mapping and Weeds)” focusing on the use of DNA markers, at the family, species and population levels, to assist in biological control of invasive weeds. More than 150 scientists throughout the U.S. and Canada attended the conference. The mission of NAWMA is to provide education, regulatory direction, professional improvement, and environmental awareness to preserve and protect our natural resources from the degrading impacts of exotic, invasive noxious weeds.   (John Gaskin, 406.433.9444, john.gaskin@ars.usda.gov)       ARS researcher to train Azores personnel in fungal production NPARL Research Entomologist Stefan Jaronski is returning to the Azores September 12-24 to continue training personnel of the Azores Regional Service of Crop Protection in mass production of Metarhizium, an insect pathogenic fungus being developed for controlling Japanese beetle on the islands. Last April, Jaronski and ARS entomologist Lerry Lacey, Wapato WA, traveled to the islands to teach a short introductory course in fungal mass production. This time Jaronski will provide more intense hands-on training and troubleshooting consultation to get their production system functioning properly. He will also conduct some bioassays of some candidate strains of the fungus. His trip is being funded by the Office of International Research Programs as part of their continuing assistance to Azores agriculture. Dr. Jaronski is a member of NPARL’s Pest Management Research Unit.    (Stefan Jaronski, 406.433.9486, stefan.jaronski@ars.usda.gov)

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