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Gonzalez (1998) reports that cardoon has a number of invertebrate pests and infectious agents that attack it. These include aphids (Aphis spp.), stem borer and leaf borer (Gortyna xantenes Germ. and Apion carduorum Kirby, respectively), cutworms (Agrotis segetum and Spodoptera litoralis), flies (Agromyza spp. and Terellia spp.) and moths (Pyrameis cardui L.). All of which can be treated with a broad spectrum insecticide or methods of biological control. In the UK, early stages of development are readily attacked by slugs (personal observation). Infectious agents include downy mildew, powdery mildew, botrytis blight rot. Giant reed has no known diseases at the mature stage. However, Dalianis (1998) reports that during the early growth stages of the new shoots they can be attacked by stem borers (Sesamia spp). This does not affect the rhizome, which re-sprouts. Reed canary grass, as a native to a cooler European climate, has potential to be attacked by a variety of rusts, mildew and fungi. Semere and Slater (2005) reported the crop was infested with green peach aphids (Myzus persicae) affecting 15 -20% of the crop in autumn and summer. There was no effect on biomass yield as the infestation occurred after the crop had matured. --------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- Dalianis, C.D. (1998) Giant Reed (Arundo donax L.). In: El Bassam, N. (ed) Energy Plant Species: their use and impact on environmental and development. James and James Ltd. London, UK. Gonzalez, J.F. (1998) Cardoon (Cynara cardunculus L.) In: El Bassam, N. (ed) Energy Plant Species: their use and impact on environmental and development. James and James Ltd. London, UK. Semere T, Slater FM. The effects of energy grass plantations on biodiversity.
Final report, project number CFP 374/22: London: Department of Trade
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