Biotech Updates

Research Attempts to Control the Spread of Harmful Weed Species

September 11, 2013

Scientists from the United States Department of Agriculture (USDA) together with partners will try to curb the threat of two weed species to nurseries, Christmas tree farms, pastures, and wildlife habitats. These two species, namely pale swallow-wort (Vincetoxicum rossicum) and black swallow-wort (V. nigrum) have invaded pastures and are encroaching on the habitats of threatened and endangered species in Northeastern United States.

Scientists are searching for the biological mechanisms that make the swallow-worts such serious threats. They are also tracking the progress of swallow-wort populations in New York, and studying their habitats and to see if there are life cycle stages when they are particularly vulnerable.

See USDA's news release at http://www.ars.usda.gov/is/pr/2013/130905.htm.