[MPWG] Bipolaris in WV
Terressentials
terressentials at mailworks.org
Tue May 17 15:45:04 CDT 2011
Excellent points and questions, Robin! Thank you for taking the
time to submit your thoughts.
Diana Kaye
----- Original message -----
From: "MoonBranch Botanicals" <moonbranch at earthlink.net>
To: Patricia_DeAngelis at fws.gov, ForestRuss at aol.com
Cc: mpwg at lists.plantconservation.org
Date: Mon, 16 May 2011 15:37:12 -0400 (EDT)
Subject: Re: [MPWG] Bipolaris in WV
Hi All, and thanks Russ and Patricia for the info and update.
I have a question for the group especially in light of this
example of where Microstegium has become such a pest and there is
much focus on and money spent preventing the spread/introduction
of and/or controlling "exotic invasive" species. Using that same
terminology, "exotic invasive" as something that occurs naturally
outside the habitat into which it is introduced and thus becomes
a problem, I am curious as to why we as a group in specific as
well as our society in general does not voice more "concern" (put
mildly) over the introduction, whether intentional or accidental,
of "new" genetically modified organisms into the environment?
To introduce a species into a new environment or habitat is one
thing, but to take a previously unknown (with regards to it
habits in an uncontrolled environment) species and to allow or
perhaps fail to prevent it's introduction into the biosphere
seems like a much more dangerous proposition in terms of
potential consequences. Furthermore, many agencies and bureaus
within or under the umbrella of the same (US in this case)
government are avidly promoting the control of these naturally
occurring exotics while "sister" agencies are not only allowing
but sometimes promoting the use of and introduction into the
natural world these previously unknown genetically modified
organisms, GMOs if you will.
I have read that scientific research of exotic invasives show a
net negative effect on the ecosystems within which they invade in
terms of threatening biodiversity, thus prompting efforts to
prevent their spread or failing that, initiate their control. I
have also read of scientific research that says that GMO's
however, while completely unknown as to their interspecific
interactions outside of a controlled environment pose no threat.
This of course begs another question. Does scientific methodology
vary from agency to agency as the scenario created is otherwise
completely void of any and all logic.
Any thoughts, anyone?
And, not coincidentally this recent interview of Dr. Huber, a
noted plant pathologist from Purdue University may be of some
interest to some of you:
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=nzlwAAf9DRg
Thanks and I'll be looking forward to replies,
Robin
-----Original Message-----
From: Patricia_DeAngelis at fws.gov
Sent: May 16, 2011 12:35 PM
To: ForestRuss at aol.com
Cc: mpwg at lists.plantconservation.org
Subject: Re: [MPWG] Bipolaris in WV
So, I see that this fungus is native to Appalachia. Has the
research also looked into whether/how this fungus is impacting
native plants in the understory (such as black cohosh)?
I've just seen mention in a 2008 report that anthracnose was
diagnosed on black cohosh (and pitcher plants) that year,
which may be the black splotching I saw on BC in the woods a
couple years ago. See VaTech's Plant Disease Clinic 2008
Report for further info on that (p. iv):
[1]http://www.ppws.vt.edu/~clinic/reports/clinic_report_2008.p
df
Thanks,
Patricia
Patricia S. De Angelis, Ph.D.
Botanist - Division of Scientific Authority
Chair - Plant Conservation Alliance - Medicinal Plant Working
Group
US Fish & Wildlife Service
4401 N. Fairfax Dr., Suite 110
Arlington, VA 22203
703-358-1708 x1753
FAX: 703-358-2276
Promoting sustainable use and conservation of our native
medicinal plants.
<www.nps.gov/plants/medicinal>
ForestRuss at aol.com
Sent by: mpwg-bounces at lists.plantconservation.org
05/16/2011 11:01 AM
To
MPWG at lists.plantconservation.org
cc
Subject
[MPWG] Bipolaris in WV
MPWG:
The Bipolaris fungus has again appeared in central WV.
The first Microstegium plants started to germinate in mid
April and within two weeks seedlings were starting to sport
Bipolaris lesions. In many locations the lower blades of the
stiltgrass plants had already died and in a few areas the
plants appeared to die almost as soon as they germinated. The
photo below was taken in an area that is at the leading edge
of a SG invasion....hopefully the end of a SG invasion.
In some areas nearly every individual stiltgrass plant was
showing signs of infection by Bipolaris within two weeks of
gernination.
By mid May the infection has spread throughout this
population. In many areas the stiltgrass is becoming non
competitive as the foliage dies back and the surrounding
native vegetation overtakes and dominates the ground cover.
The "persistent" thatch produced by stiltgrass that lives
through its' full life cycle appears to rot very quickly in
the face of a Bipolaris infection. There are some areas where
Bipolaris has been active for several years and neither thatch
or healthy Mv seedlings are present.
For people wishing to see Bipolaris in action, we will be
hosting a program at Crummies Creek Demonstration Forest in
cooperation with the West Virginia University Extension, the
Woodland Owners Association of WV and the National Woodland
Owners Association on Saturday June 25 and some of the session
will involve visits to areas where Bipolaris has been active
for several years as well as areas subjected to annual
mechanical control for over ten years.
Special permits to move Bipolaris infected plants to other
parts of West Virginia are available through the WV Department
of Agriculture. Intentional movement of diseased plants from
WV is possible as long as a permit is obtained from APHIS.
However, Bipolaris, which appears to be native to the central
Appalachians showed up in Maryland and Virginia last year and
the wet spring of 2011 has not hampered the spread of the
fungus so it should be expected in more locations this summer.
Look for additional updates as the growing season progresses.
Sincerely,
Russ Richardson, Certified Forester
PO Box 207
Arnoldsburg, WV 25234
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Robin Alton Suggs
MoonBranch Botanicals
5294 Yellow Creek Road
Robbinsville, North Carolina 28771
USA
Telephone: 828.479.2788
Email: moonbranch at earthlink.net
Websites:
www.moonbranch.com & www.localharvest.org/store/M16074
Member:
Appalachian Sustainable Agriculture Project; Farm Partner
Green Products Alliance
North Carolina Consortium on Natural Medicines
North Carolina Goodness Grows/NCDA&CS
Southwestern North Carolina RC&D Council
United Plant Savers
"Truth has to be repeated constantly, because Error also is being preache
d all the time, and not just by a few, but by the multitude.
In the Press and Encyclopaedias, in Schools and Universities, everywhere
Error holds sway, feeling happy and comfortable in the knowledge of havin
g Majority on its side."
-Goethe
References
1. http://www.ppws.vt.edu/%7Eclinic/reports/clinic_report_2008.pdf
2. http://lists.plantconservation.org/mailman/listinfo/mpwg_lists.plantconservation.org
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