To: sperdue@USDA.

gov
From: tbrack@USDA.gov
Subject: Request for Tumbleweed Research Approval

Good Afternoon Mr. Perdue,

For the past three months, the team at the Ecology Department has been researching ways to
effectively disperse the Colletotrichum salsola (Salsola) fungus across large regions to disrupt the growth
of the Tumbleweed population within the United States.

Effective dispersal is critical to the success of the salsola, as failure would leave many regions
unprotected from tumbleweed development, which could, in turn, result in a resurgence in the
tumbleweed population, regardless of salsola having being presented into the environment. This need
is why we are requesting approval for further research into dispersal methods. Our study thus far has
shown significant promise in the application of crop dusters in infertile lands, a place where
tumbleweeds typically thrive due to the lack of competition. That, combined with rice dispersal in
farmland, seems to be a highly effective strategy at protecting various landscapes from tumbleweed
growth.

We have tested nearly 100 different plant species located within the United States to see if there are
any vulnerabilities to the fungus, and only four were ever infected. Of those four, zero showed any signs
of structural or health deficiencies. With that in mind, the last test in our process before a market-wide
application is to conduct a regional experiment. This step will allow us to evaluate real-world variables, a
critical step in confirming viability. For us to do so, we need approval. We sincerely hope that you
consider approving further research so that we may continue our testing. If you have any comments or
questions, please feel free to contact me at your convenience.

Best Wishes,
Tyler Brack | Weed Research | USDA

tel: +1 234.567.8910 | mob: +1 234.567.8901

Date: 6/4/2020
To: Sonny Perdue
From: Tyler Brack
Subject: Tumbleweed research results
Action Required: Approval for further research by July 31, 2020
Distribution List: Ecology Department, USDA

The Tumbleweed research team at the Ecology Department has been researching ways to effectively
disperse the fungus known as Colletotrichum salsola(Salsola). Tumbleweeds have been a problem in
America for over a century. With their ability to spread extremely quickly, and to grow in the harshest of
conditions, their containment has been an impossible task. They impact farmers yearly, by crowding
irrigation ditches and hindering crop growth. These results decrease overall crop yields, leading farmers
to required support from the USDA and other federal agencies. That is why, when salsola was presented
as an effective solution to the growing tumbleweed problem, the team knew that research was required
to discover the optimal method of dispersion for the broadest impact. With that in mind, combined with
constant testing, we have determined that the use of crop dusters in infertile lands combined with the
use of rice dispersal in farmlands can lead to the most effective impact on tumbleweed populations.

Summary
When researching methods to spread salsola, the team first decided to research older ways of
combatting tumbleweeds. After determining that nearly all the existing methods only dealt with the
destruction of pre-existing tumbleweeds, the team knew that creating an effective plan to combat
tumbleweeds before they have fully developed is critical to the termination of their overwhelming
presence in the United States. Tumbleweeds can grow in a wide variety of landscapes, meaning that
there also needs to be multiple methods of dispersion. As such, the team decided to divide the
techniques into two categories: infertile land and farmland. With this distinction, we can provide a more
concentrated application in farmland, where the need is more immediate than in infertile areas. An
alternative approach for infertile and often undeveloped lands can be utilized to stunt long-term
tumbleweed growth.

Ineffective Solutions
Tumbleweeds cause various forms of damage throughout the United States every year. Between
damages to crop yields, blocking off roadways, train tracks, and buildings, clearing tumbleweeds from
areas in which they cannot be burned requires substantial labor hours. Once they are removed from
such areas, burning is often still needed, leading to more labor costs and environmental impacts.
Herbicides can be effective at killing tumbleweeds, but given their prices and how frequently they must
be applied, they represent a solution that can potentially do more harm than good. That is why a
solution that can kill tumbleweeds as effectively as herbicides but cause minimal or no environmental
damage would be of great value to Americans everywhere.

The Fungal Dispersion Approach

Health and Costs
Before a dispersion method can be genuinely considered, it is essential first to determine if there is any
potential for damage to the existing ecosystem. Multiple research teams have thoroughly tested the
salsola dispersal method. Each of these examinations has concluded that a small minority of plants are
vulnerable to infection from salsola. Those that do demonstrate this vulnerability, however, also show
zero signs of resulting damage because of it. As such, we can confidently proceed, knowing that damage
to the current ecosystem is highly unlikely.

It is also essential to consider whether the solution is cost-effective, as high-cost solutions are less likely
to be implemented by budget-conscious communities. For this evaluation, we must consider each
method individually. First, for the usage of rice dispersal, in which large bags of salsola-holding rice are
poured in a pile and then allowed to spread over time, the cost is a non-issue. Rice itself is extremely
inexpensive, and the process by which it is combined with salsola is also inexpensive. The next expense
to consider is the cost of the crop-dusting for infertile lands. In this case, the primary expense is the
crop-dusting plane itself. However, for those who have access to such a plane, the incremental costs of
required gasoline and salsola are inexpensive enough, especially when compared to the economic
impact of tumbleweeds.

The Efficacy of Fungal Dispersion

In order to determine the effectiveness of the overall approach, we must consider the efficacy of each
approach. The rice dispersal approach already has a history of demonstrated success in other parts of
the world. In an experiment that took place in Greece and Russia, researchers found that within two
years of rice application, the presence of tumbleweeds was eliminated in 66% of farms within which the
rice was applied. Of the remaining farms, progress was seen within 1-2 additional years. For the crop
dusting approach, we have seen very similar results. Approximately 50% of the targeted acreage saw
complete elimination within two years. The remainder saw positive trends within 2-3 years beyond.

Conclusion
With approval for further testing and promising research in hand, we are hoping to present salsola as a
solution to the general public and local governments so they can begin using it in their farms and land.
With this cost-effective approach, we are estimating declines in the tumbleweed population in the
United States of more than 50% within five years, resulting in a material reduction to its impact on the
economy and environment.
Recommendations
I recommend that we receive approval for further research into salsola and it’s applications. For our
research to continue in any way, we must receive the appropriate approval. Supporting the process of
tumbleweed research is critical to the removal of tumbleweeds in the United States. Once approval is
received, we must continue our the research and development of salsola’s implimentations and impacts
on the environment including but not limited to, cropdusting uninhabitable areas, and rice dispersal.