Species of an indigenous fungus have been found to be pathogenic against saffron thistle. This research aims to study the biological control of saffron thistle using this fungus in an inundative strategy.
Studies revolve around epidemiology, genetics of the fungus and formulation.
The fungus has been found to kill saffron thistle within four days of inoculation and has been found to be equally effective against a range of other weeds including noogoora burr and bathurst burr. The epidemiological parameters required for infection have also been defined. The fungus is unrelated to other species of Phomopsis known to cause diseases of field crops in Australia. This pathogen shows great promise as a basis of a mycoherbicide.