- Posted by: Gale Perez
The August edition of the IPM Hour features Kristen Bowers from New Mexico State University discussing her research into using climate-adapted insect biocontrol agents to control puncturevine in the West.
Bowers, with funding from the Western Integrated Pest Management Center, is measuring the cold-hardiness of puncturevine-eating weevils from New Mexico to see if they can tolerate cool northern climes and potentially boost biocontrol efforts throughout the region.
- Posted by: Gale Perez
Don't miss the early-bird fee (ends 8/1/2023)
Weed Science School 2023
Most of us learn best by doing, which is why Weed Science School 2023 promises to be better than ever this year.
The course offers hands-on training and will include four rotations where participants can be involved in weed identification, spray nozzle demonstration, an adjuvant demonstration, and an herbicide symptomology lab. In addition, we provide several lectures on weed biology, ecology, organic weed management techniques, herbicides action and resistant management and prevention discussions, as well as...
/h2>- Author: Thomas J Getts
Ten years ago, Guy Kyser wrote an excellent blog on the identification of Northern California's “Big Three” invasive thistles. I encourage you to check it out, if I recall correctly, it is one of the most viewed blog posts ever posted on the UC Weed blog, which is impressive!
Driving back home from Quincy yesterday, in the Dixie fire scar on Hwy 70, there were hundreds of native “snowy thistles” growing along the steep slopes clinging to the rocks. This has to be one of my favorite plants since moving to California. Stark white, covered in hairs, with a vibrant pink flower,...
- Author: John A Roncoroni
- Posted by: Gale Perez
There have been several recent questions about dealing with a plant floating in reservoirs. Here's Weed Scientist Emeritus John Roncoroni's response to them.
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Pacific Mosquitofern, (Azolla filiculoides) often referred to as Azolla, is native to California. It is considered a desirable component of natural habitats and an important food source for waterfowl. Azolla is a floating aquatic fern that spreads by stem fragments and spores. Azolla as being up to 5 cm (2 inches) long, but can be as small as ¼ to ½ inches.
Azolla is often misidentified as duckweed (Lemna spp), another common small floating aquatic plant. Azolla is initially green, like duckweed, but...
- Author: Phoebe Gordon
- Author: Seth Watkins
- Author: Caleb Crawford
- Author: Elizabeth J Fichtner,
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Pistachio production has been expanding, particularly into marginal soils with high salts, boron, and even sodic conditions. One plant that is endemic to these conditions, alkaliweed, has been reported in these orchards. While there have been some articles suggesting that it it is a new weed to pistachio production, I am personally a bit skeptical of this, as it is endemic to the American Southwest, found as far south as Baja California, as far east as Texas, and has been reported in Ecuador, Argentina, and Chile. What is more likely is that pistachio production has been expanding into more marginal lands that already contain alkaliweed, and has been noticed more due to its extraordinary and frankly admirable ability to resist control...