Integrated pest management techniques in thistle suppression in pastures of North America

Abstract

Summary Thistles in the genera Carduus, Cirsium, Onopordum, and Silybum of the subtribe Carduinae have been the subjects of considerable research designed for chemical, biological, cultural, and integrated control in the United States. Problems and costs associated with chemical and cultural control techniques stimulated the introduction of biological control agents from many locations in Europe and the Middle East. Although some natural enemies have successfully suppressed thistle infestations, economic losses during the time lags between introduction and effective suppression prompted investigations into integrated control procedures. The rationale, history, and potential direction for thistle suppression has been documented in this manuscript.

Relationships between the stereochemistry and biological activity of fungal phytotoxins

“…151 Managing these weeds can be a challenge, and combinations of agrarian and chemical methods are effective. 152 However, herbicides recommended for control of these perennials are limited and low in selectivity. [153][154][155] Search for efficacious biocontrol microorganisms and natural herbicides has been active and numerous surveys have been carried out to find pathogens on Canada thistle, [156][157][158] whereas those of perennial sowthistle have not been studied extensively.…”

Impacts of non-native plant and animal invaders on gap regeneration in a protected boreal forest

“…Frequently-used methods of mechanical thistle control in small infestations (i.e. hand cutting or digging up plants; Trumble and Kok 1982;Donald 1990; Dock Gustavsson 1997) did not improve the success of balsam fir emergence and establishment. Moreover, the sowing protocol involved selectively planting individual seeds at a favorable position slightly under the soil surface, yet large-scale restoration normally involves either broadcast sowing, hydro-seeding, or in very large-scale projects, aerial seeding from lowflying aircraft (Davy 2008).…”

“…By shifting the management focus towards re-establishing a native forest canopy, control of non-native, shade-intolerant ruderal plants may also be achieved as they are shaded out over time (Mosquin 1997). C. arvense is shade intolerant: growth of its seedlings is considerably reduced in 60-70% of full daylight levels (Bakker 1960;Edwards et al 2000) and even mature plants experience reduced vigour, vegetative spread, and flower development when growing under taller vegetation or in closed canopy woodlands (Bakker 1960;Trumble and Kok 1982;Donald 1990;Tiley 2010). This shading principle has been successfully practiced in abandoned farmland and old fields in eastern Canada to form dense closed conifer canopies which shade out alien grasses and forbs over many years (Fisher 1987;Mosquin 1997).…”

First documentation of adultTrichosirocalus horriduson several non-target nativeCirsiumspecies in Tennessee

“…Upon establishment in areas of release, Trichosirocalus spp. became widely distributed as part of musk thistle biological control programs throughout the continental US (Trumble and Kok 1982;McDonald, Kidd, and Robbins 1994;Gassmann and Kok 2002). Initial releases of Trichosirocalus spp.…”