Project Number: 5325-22000-020-32
Project Type: Reimbursable

Start Date: Oct 01, 2007
End Date: Aug 31, 2008

Objective:
We will determine the effects of environmental factors, suh as temperature, moisture and ultraviolet light, on survival of the introduced rust pathogen, Puccinia jaceae var. solstitialis, to predict where the rust is most likely to provide successful biological control of yellow starthistle.

Approach:
We will monitor establishment of the rust and incidence of infection at release sites throughout California and map the spread of the rust using the Global Positioning System (GPS). We will determine the effect of temperature, moisture, and UV light on uredospore (spores that infect plants) survival in controlled experiments. The experimental results will be used to develop a predictive model with CLIMEX software to predict where the pathogen is likely to be successful. The accuracy of our predictions will be assessed using the data collected from over 40 sites where the rust has been released. Documents Reimbursable with UC Davis. Log 34561.