Over the past several years, land managers and ranchers in Marin and Sonoma counties have been concerned with the spread of woolly distaff thistle (Carthamus lanatus). However, there is very little research conducted on the control of this species. Because of the lack of direct information on its management, land managers have relied on information previously published on yellow starthistle (Centaurea solstitialis). Yellow starthistle is a related species with some phenological similarities to woolly distaff thistle, but it does not provide a perfect analogy.

As a result, we tested a number of herbicides for the control of distaff thistle at two timings (mid-winter and spring) and two rates in Marin County. Our...

The California Weed Science Society recently published the 4th edition of the Principles of Weed Control as an e-book.  This textbook/handbook that has been a valuable resource for many years and I'm excited that it has been updated.  Additionally, by electing to publish it as an e-book (Kindle edition is available at Amazon.com), the price has been dramatically reduced so, hopefully, more students and...

A quick post today to share a link to the recently revised "UC IPM Pest Management Guidelines for Olive" (UC ANR Publication #3452).  You can download the whole document as a pdf here, or use it online at the above link.

Like the most of the other Pest Management Guidelines (PMGs), there are sections on management of a broad range of pests in olive including insects, mites, nematodes, vertebrate pests, and weeds.  Since this is the UC Weed Science blog, here's the link directly to...

Link today to the newest edition of an important reference book for herbicides - the Weed Science Society of America's "Herbicide Handbook".  Dr. Dale Shaner took on the updating and revision of the 10th Edition (at over 500 pages of very dense information, this was no small task!). 

This resource is fantastic and is the one reference book that I use nearly every day.  Mine is always within arms reach in my office.  Take a look if you routinely work with herbicide active ingredients - there is a tremendous amount of herbicide info...