WEEDS AND BIOCONTROL IMPACTS

A science group in NEW ZEALAND publishes the lively quarterly,
WHAT'S NEW IN BIOLOGICAL CONTROL OF WEEDS? Naturally, the publication
reflects a New Zealand view point, but often contains information of
much broader geographic relevance. Such is the case with the article,
"Can Biocontrol Agents Cause Evolutionary Changes in Weeds?" from issue
43, February 2008. The article raises an intriguing point: when a plant
species arrives in a new setting free of the pressure of its natural
enemy herbivores it may undergo evolutionary changes. For instance, the
relocated plant may allocate more resources to competitive abilities and
reproduction and less towards defensive traits. The brief article
reports on some of the surprising results of recent trials seeking
answers to the relocation phenomenon. -> J. Wilson-Davey, Landcare
Research, PO Box 40, Lincoln 7640, NEW ZEALAND. Fax: 64-3-321-9988.
Phone: 64-3-321-9999. Mailto:WilsonDaveyJ@....
--excerpted with thanks from WHAT'S NEW IN BIOCONTROL OF WEEDS?,
43, February 2008. [#]

[Source :IPMnet NEWS* Issue #162 April/May 2008]