Type of position: The Department of Horticulture in the University of Arkansas System Division of Agriculture seeks an individual who will develop and lead a highly effective and nationally recognized extension and applied research program in weed control in turfgrass, specialty crops, and forestry. This is a non-tenured assistant or associate professor position with a 75% extension and 25% research appointment. This position will provide leadership in horticultural weed control for the state and complement related Departmental and faculty programs in these areas.

Employer: Department of Horticulture in the University of Arkansas System Division of Agriculture

Location:...

Marie Jasieniuk is a professor with the Dept. of Plant Sciences at UC Davis.

A major pathway of introduction of non-native invasive plants into new geographical areas is the global horticultural trade in ornamental plants. Even though only a small percentage of ornamental species escape cultivation and become invasive, those that do can have major negative impacts. In California, more than half of the most invasive plants damaging the state's wildlands and natural areas are derived from horticultural ornamentals. PlantRight™ (

Silverleaf nightshade (Solanum elaeagnifolium) is a perennial subshrub native to the American Southwest, southern states, Mexico, and South America. It's a member of the Solanaceae, thus a relative of tomatoes, potatoes, tomatillos, eggplant, and tobacco, as well as weeds such as tree tobacco, black nightshade, and hairy nightshade.

The photo below shows silverleaf nightshade spreading in a recently disked field near UC Davis. Note that it's pretty much the only plant present: it can regrow from small rhizome fragments, and is very tolerant of hot and dry conditions. It's also poisonous to livestock. It is a listed noxious weed in many states and in a number of Mediterranean-climate countries...

I wanted to give a shout-out to a recent blog posted by Tunyalee Martin with UC IPM. The blog post announces a new online interactive tool for controlling wildland weeds with non Chemical methods. This project was spearheaded by Cheryl Wilen (UC IPM) and Jutta Burger (CAL IPC) who worked with a team to develop a Best Management Practices Manual for non-chemical weed control and worked with Tunyalee and UC IPM to build the online interactive interface to access the information.

Click here to read the...