<!DOCTYPE HTML PUBLIC "-//W3C//DTD HTML 4.01 Transitional//EN">
<html>
<head>
<meta http-equiv="content-type" content="text/html; charset=ISO-8859-1">
</head>
<body bgcolor="#ffffff" text="#000000">
Hi folks,<br>
<br>
As many of you are aware populations of Microstegium throughout the
invaded range in the eastern US have been exhibiting disease
symptoms. We have identified the responsible pathogens as two new,
undescribed species of fungi in the genus Bipolaris. Furthermore, we
have recently shown that these pathogens are having significant
effects on the growth and reproduction of Mv. More information in
publications on my web site (florylab.com). We are currently
investigating the relationship between the age and size of invasions
and pathogen occurrence, and the ecological effects of disease on Mv
populations and co-occurring native species. To accomplish these
goals it would be very helpful to have fresh samples of diseased
plants from across the range of Mv invasions. <br>
<b><br>
If you are willing to collect diseased samples of Mv from your
area please contact me and I will send a sampling protocol. We
will pay shipping via FedEx.</b><br>
<br>
Thanks in advance. The community of land managers and researchers on
this list has been very helpful in research efforts in the past and
I think it represents a great example of the potential collaboration
between managers and researchers. For example, we have published two
papers on the differences between invasive and native populations of
Mv using samples collected in part through contacts made on this
list. <br>
<br>
Luke <br>
<pre class="moz-signature" cols="50">-------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
S. Luke Flory
University of Florida
Office: 352-392-1117
Cell: 352-231-2376
<a class="moz-txt-link-abbreviated" href="http://www.florylab.com">www.florylab.com</a></pre>
</body>
</html>