- Author: Lynn M. Sosnoskie
The foundation of an effective extension program is an understanding of needs. Although I have worked in California, previously (2012-2017), as a weed scientist with the University of California – Davis, most of my time was spent in specialty crop systems (trees and vines, processing tomatoes, and melons). Consequently, I entered my current position as an Agronomy and Weed Science Advisor less familiar with the concerns and requirements of the agronomic crop industry. Although I expect that issues such as the water availability and quality, soil health, varietal improvement, and effective pest management practices are of significant interest to my clientele, I engaged in a needs assessment to define and rank the expressed...
- Author: Lynn M. Sosnoskie
Weeds compete with crops for light, water, and nutrients, which can result in yield reductions. Weeds can also interfere with crop production by serving as alternate hosts for pests and pathogens, providing habitat for rodents, and impeding harvest operations among other impacts. Natural areas can also be impacted by weed species when they reduce aesthetics, cause physical harm, and disrupt ecosystem services. As a consequence, growers and land managers employ a variety of control strategies, including the application of herbicides, to manage unwanted vegetation.
Although herbicides can be extremely effective at controlling undesirable plants, failures can and do occur. Weeds may escape chemical treatments for several reasons...
- Author: Lynn M. Sosnoskie
What are mistletoes?
Mistletoes (Arceuthobium spp. [dwarf mistletoes], Phoradendron spp. [American mistletoes], and Viscum album. [European mistletoe]) are evergreen, flowering plants that parasitize trees and shrubs to acquire water and nutrients. All dwarf and American mistletoes occurring in California are native species whereas Viscum album was introduced to California from Eurasia. Although sometimes considered as undesirable pests, mistletoes may be important components of local ecosystems. For example, the seeds of some mistletoes can serve as food sources...
- Author: Lynn M. Sosnoskie
South Sacramento Valley Processing Tomato Production Meeting
When: Thursday, January 10, 2019
Time: 7:45am to 12:00pm
Where: Woodland Community Center (2001 East Street, Woodland, CA 95776).
Agenda:
7:45 DOORS WILL OPEN — COFFEE AND REFRESHMENTS WILL BE AVAILABLE
8:15 Broomrape- a...
- Author: Lynn M. Sosnoskie
Recently I was asked to help identify prostrate knotweed (Polygonum aviculare) that was collected from an alfalfa field. Admittedly, the tough and wire-like specimen that was submitted to me at the end of autumn didn't much resemble the succulent seedlings that I have often observed emerging in tree and vine systems in early spring. Consequently, I dug out my 'Weeds of the West' and 'Weeds of California and Other Western States' books and double-checked with colleagues to ensure that my ID was accurate. This post is meant to build on that effort and describe the morphological traits that are characteristic of prostrate knotweed and how to differentiate the species from a similar-looking weed, spotted spurge (Euphorbia...