Slender thistle biocontrol

Carduus pycnocephalus, Carduus tenuiflorus Slender thistles Slender thistle weeds invade southern Australian pastures, reducing pasture productivity and causing wool contamination. One biocontrol agent has been released to combat slender thistles. 1. Slender thistle rust *Puccinia cardui pycnocephali* The rust was first introduced accidentally into Australia at least 50 years ago. Subsequent release programs undertaken in 1995 resulted in the establishment of the slender thistle rust fungus in atleast 38 release sites where it has been shown to reduce the spread and density of slender thistle infestation.密花蓟（Carduus pycnocephalus）、细花蓟（Carduus tenuiflorus） 俗称细茎蓟（Slender thistles） 细茎蓟杂草入侵澳大利亚南部牧场，导致牧场生产力下降并引发羊毛污染问题。目前已有一种生物防治因子（biocontrol agent）被用于防控细茎蓟。 1. 细茎蓟锈病菌（*Puccinia cardui pycnocephali*） 该锈菌至少于50年前意外传入澳大利亚。1995年实施的后续释放项目，使其在至少38个释放点位成功定殖；现有研究证实，其可有效抑制细茎蓟的侵染扩散范围与种群密度。