Applying molecular-based approaches to classical biological control of weeds

“Barcoding” and ISSR data illuminate a problematic infraspecific taxonomy for Chrysanthemoides monilifera (Calenduleae; Asteraceae): Lessons for biocontrol of a noxious weed

“…ISSRs have been successfully used to elucidate the intraspecific genetic relationships and population genetics of a number of plant species (Nagaoka and Ogihara, 1997;Wolfe et al, 1998;Ge and Sun, 1999;Liu and Wendel, 2001;Bentley et al, 2014) including some alien invasive plant species for which the origin of the invasive populations was not known (Paterson et al, 2009;Paterson and Zachariades, 2013). Some of the advantages of using ISSRs are that the primers are universal, so little knowledge of the target organism's genome is required, and that they access high levels of variability and can therefore be used for intraspecific and even population level studies (Gaskin et al, 2011). ISSRs are expected to be more variable than the ITS region allowing for a more detailed and finer scale assessment of the relationships between the samples.…”

“…Recently, genetic techniques have been used to help understand invasion histories and to elucidate the genetic structure of invasive alien plant populations (Gaskin et al, 2011). A better understanding of the relationships between the infraspecific taxa of C. monilifera, in both the native and introduced distribution, as well as determining the region of origin of the introduced populations would be useful for biological control efforts.…”

“…Understanding the infraspecific taxonomy and population genetics structure of invasive alien plant species can be important for biological control programmes (Gaskin et al, 2011). Recently, genetic techniques have been used to help understand invasion histories and to elucidate the genetic structure of invasive alien plant populations (Gaskin et al, 2011).…”

Biology and host specificity of Rhinusa pilosa, a recommended biological control agent of Linaria vulgaris

“…biological control agents (Gaskin et al 2011). Adult feeding and survival was minimal on native North American species in the weed tribe Antirrhineae.…”

Invasive Russian Knapweed (Acroptilon repens) Creates Large Patches Almost Entirely by Rhizomic Growth

“…Two invasive Solidago species in China spread locally through rhizomes and by seed over long distances (Dong et al 2006). In addition, such information may assist in making management decisions such as timing of chemical/manual/ mechanical control or guild of biological control agent to utilize (Gaskin et al 2011;Ward et al 2008). For instance, an ovule-feeding biological control agent may reduce seed formation without reducing parent plant survival (Ward et al 2008); thus, in the case of invasive Solidago, effective control of seed could slow long-distance spread but may do nothing to limit local spread.…”