Onions is a challenging crop in which to achieve good weed control. They are planted in high density configurations that preclude the effective use of cultivation. Cultural practices such as locating plantings in fields have low weed populations, as well as preirrigating up a flush of weeds followed by killing them with shallow cultivation can be effective in minimizing the population of weeds that emerge during the crop cycle. In general, excellent weed control for many of the common cool and warm season vegetables can be accomplished by a combination of the registered pre and post emergence herbicides. The weed control challenges in onions occurs with weeds that are not well controlled by currently registered herbicides. It is...

Mark your calendar!

July 15, 2019

Fiddleneck (Amsinckia spp.) is a native plant in California. It occurs in grasslands and open, disturbed areas (DiTomaso, Kyser et al. 2013) and is sold as a pollinator plant in native plant seed mixes. Its bright yellow flowers catch the eye of those looking for wildflowers. However, it is important to note that fiddleneck is toxic to livestock.

Fiddleneck seeds contain pyrrolizidine alkaloids which can affect the liver of cattle, horses, and pigs (Fuller and McClintock 1986). Based on necropsies from livestock tested at the California Animal Health and Food Safety (CAHFS) Lab, plants containing pyrrolizidine alkaloids were the number three source of plant toxicity to livestock (Forero et al. 2011). Oleander is the...

Thanks to the recent hot weather (already surpassing 90 degrees several days in a row), we are starting to see the lush green hills near Fresno transition into gold. The much-needed rain we received this spring could unfortunately create a problem in the coming summer: thick forage growth can quickly turn into fuel for fire season.

So, what does this have to do with weed management?

Before wildfire, weeds can be fuel;after wildfire, weeds can spread.

FUEL

The main fuels in the valley and foothills are typically grasses. Even non-weedy grass species can be an issue if grazing livestock (and hardworking landscapers) can't keep up with grass growth before summer. Annual grasses are great...