ATTN: Ranchers, USDA needs ideas

Lorine S Horvath (unc-cs!news-relay.ncren.net!nntp-xfer.ncsu.edu!gatech!www.nntp.primenet.com!nntpLorine S Horvath)
24 Apr 1997 17:45:35 GMT

Our research unit is working on developing solutions to perennial
rangeland weed problems (ie. leafy spurge and others). Traditionally,
our unit has been tasked with answering basic questions concerning the
biology, biochemistry and physiology of these weeds with the goal of
understanding and identifying basic plant functions that might be
exploited to develop new management tools or techniques to control these
weed pests. However, recently, we have been tasked with identifying
"costomers" that can directly use the basic scientific data thet we
generate to develop new control stratagies. The thought is that if we
just publish our data on various plant functions in scientific journals
(like most scientists in academia), that useful information could go
un-noticed.

My question to all ranchers or rangeland managers is: Who do you go to
for information concerning control stratagies for various weed problems?
I am also interested in learning about the specific problems facing you
as individuals so that we can better direct our research to meet you
needs. Finally, I am curious about what you would think of spending
government money on a research project that was designed to identify
signals and processes in plants (such as leafy spurge or Canada thistle)
that controlled the growth of the underground buds which many weeds use
to spread. Keep in mind tht such a project would likely take 10-15 years
to complete, and that it would be an entierly different project to figure
out some way to use the information to identify chemicals or proceedures
that would interfere with this process, and a third project to figure out
an economical method of actually using what was learned to control the
weed(s). Any feedback will be most welcome and (hopefully) put to good use.

Dave Horvath
Plant physiologist/molecular biologist
USDA/ARS/BRL
Fargo, ND