UC Weed Science (weed control, management, ecology, and minutia)

As a commodity-based CE Advisor with a background in entomology, weed science is not a familiar subject to me, especially weed identification.

A new UC Cooperative Extension podcast that focuses on growing orchard crops in the San Joaquin and Sacramento valleys is now available free at http://growingthevalleypodcast.com, Apple iTunes and Google Play Music.

No, I'm not talking about ticks or fleas on your dog. Actually, I'm talking about a parasitic weed that lives by attaching itself to the roots of other plants. This parasite is broomrape, a plant that has no chlorophyll and lacks conspicuous leaves.

From the Pest in the Urban Landscape blog June 6, 2018 When people think of parasites, often what comes to mind are blood-sucking insects like bed bugs, head lice, and fleas or other bodily invaders on or in humans and other animals. But plants can have parasites too.

There are a limited number of herbicides registered for melon production in California and Arizona, two of the major production areas for cantaloupes and honeydews. Shallow cultivation and nonselective herbicides with no soil activity can be effective if used after bed formation and before planting.