[MPWG] Bipolaris in WV

Tue May 17 22:53:19 CDT 2011

"So farmers who have to use alternative herbicides to control these
weeds should be compensated by Monsanto."

What a great idea!

Diana Kaye

----- Original message -----
From: "Robert Layton Beyfuss" <rlb14 at cornell.edu>
To: "MoonBranch Botanicals" <moonbranch at earthlink.net>,
"Patricia_DeAngelis at fws.gov" <Patricia_DeAngelis at fws.gov>,
"ForestRuss at aol.com" <ForestRuss at aol.com>
Cc: "mpwg at lists.plantconservation.org"
    <mpwg at lists.plantconservation.org> Date: Tue, 17 May 2011 09:03:16
    -0400 Subject: Re: [MPWG] Bipolaris in WV

I wonder if these GMO plants will be considered as new species? The test
of a species identity is its reproductive capacity and I assume they can
still cross breed with non GMO’s of the same species they started out
as.  There is no doubt that the artificially inserted genes can
“escape”
and confer their specific traits onto other plants via pollen and
perhaps via insects such as leafhoppers feeding on them. Ironically, the
plants that accidently acquire the new genes are probably the property
of the company that created their parents (Monsanto). Seems to me that
weeds which are now resistant to Round Up, ie glyphosate as a result of
this technology should be the responsibility of Monsanto. So farmers who
have to use alternative herbicides to control these weeds should be
compensated by Monsanto.

From: mpwg-bounces at lists.plantconservation.org [mailto:mpwg-
bounces at lists.plantconservation.org] On Behalf Of MoonBranch Botanicals
Sent: Monday, May 16, 2011 3:39 PM To: Patricia_DeAngelis at fws.gov;
ForestRuss at aol.com
Cc: mpwg at lists.plantconservation.org 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):
http://www.ppws.vt.edu/~clinic/reports/clinic_report_2008.pdf<
http://www.ppws.vt.edu/%7Eclinic/reports/clinic_report_2008.pdf>

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
preached 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
having Majority on its side."

-Goethe