The National Research Council will form an expert committee to examine scientific issues associated with the feasibility of developing and implementing mycoherbicides based on two fungi, Fusarium oxysporum and Pleospora papaveracea, as a means to eradicate illicit drug crops (i.e., coca, cannabis, and the opium poppy), including an evaluation of the potential human health, ecological, and environmental risks associated with their use and areas of future research and development needed for implementation. The study will assess the following issues associated with the potential use of naturally-occurring strains of Fusarium oxysporum and Pleospora papaveracea in eradicating illicit drug crops: (1) their effectiveness in eradicating targeted plants; (2) their pathogenicity and toxicity to non-targeted organisms, including other plants, fungi, animals, and humans; (3) their potential spread and persistence in the environment; (4) their potential for mutation and resulting toxicity to non-targeted organisms; (5) the feasibility of their large-scale industrial manufacture and delivery; and (6) future research and development needed for implementation, such as mode of action studies. Specific questions to be addressed during the study in these areas include the following:Effectiveness:-- Are the drug crops (cannibas, opium poppy, coca) known to be susceptible to the proposed mycoherbicides?-- Have the mechanisms of action of the mycoherbicides' toxicity to illicit drug crops been established?-- Are the proposed mycoherbicides host-plant specific?-- What quantities of mycoherbicides would be needed to eradicate illicit drug crops?-- How would the method of delivery affect the effectiveness of the mycoherbicides in eradicating the drug crops?Toxicity to non-targeted organisms:-- Do the proposed mycoherbicides harm licit crops or kill other soil fungi?-- Do they threaten biodiversity or pose other risks to the environment?-- What is the nature of the health risks to animals and humans from the use of the proposed mycoherbicide?-- What is the range of transmission of the proposed mycoherbicides and what factors influence its spread?-- Once released, are the pathogens uncontrollable?Persistence in the environment:-- How long are the mycoherbicides likely to persist in the environment after application?-- Do the mycoherbicides have geographical or climatic boundaries?-- What combination of environmental conditions (e.g., temperature, depth in soil, pH) favor persistence after application?-- What conditions would shorten the persistence of the proposed mycoherbicides in the environment?-- Can persistence of the mycoherbicides in the environment be controlled?Potential for mutation and resulting toxicity to targeted and non-targeted organisms:-- What is the potential for the pathogens to mutate?-- Are there environmental or other conditions that would drive mutations in the mycoherbicides?-- Does the potential for mutation pose additional risks to non-targeted organisms (including other plants, fungi, animals, and humans) or the environment?-- How might mutations affect the susceptibility of the target crops to the mycoherbicides?-- How might mutations affect the toxicity of mycoherbicides generally? The feasibility of large-scale manufacture and delivery:-- What sort of facility would be required for the large-scale industrial manufacture of the proposed mycoherbicides?-- What sort of equipment and technology would be required for the delivery of the proposed mycoherbicides on a large scale?-- What is the overall technical feasibility of the large-scale industrial manufacture of the proposed mycoherbicides?-- What consideration would need to be made for large-scale delivery of the proposed mycoherbicides?-- What types of field trials testing of the proposed agents is needed (e.g., is testing in tropical, arid, etc. environments required)?Research and development needs:-- Can the effectiveness of the mycoherbicides in eradicating illicit drug crops be improved through research and development?-- What types of expertise would be most relevant for improving the effectiveness and safety of the proposed mycoherbicides?-- What type of research and technology would improve the production and delivery of the mycoherbicides?-- What type of testing would be needed before mycoherbicides could be safely and effectively used as a means for eradicating illicit drug crops (e.g., mode of action studies)?-- What would be required under U.S. federal and state law to test and approve a mycoherbicide of this type and what guidelines from the International Organization for Biological Control of Noxious Animal and Plants (IOBC) would apply?The project is sponsored by the Office of National Drug Control Policy.The approximate start date for the project is September 28, 2009.A report will be issued at the end of the project in approximately 24 months.