- Author: Elise S Gornish
In California, a general requirement of plant species used for revegetation and restoration projects is its classification as a native species. However, the high cost of native plant materials is one of the dominant obstacles to effective revegetation nationwide. The exclusive use of native plants may also inhibit revegetation success because natives may not compete well with existing invasive species, and may not establish as readily as non-natives. As a result, in some cases, non-native plants could provide greater management value than natives for revegetation and restoration projects. For example, rapid establishment rates of non-natives in high-stress environments can also provide utility for erosion control or revegetating...
- Author: Patrick Moran
- Editor: Guy B Kyser
A recent USDA-CDFA collaboration has documented the first establishment of a population of the water hyacinth planthopper in the western U.S.
The water hyacinth planthopper (Megamelus scutellaris, Order Hemiptera) is found on water hyacinth throughout tropical and sub-temperate areas in eastern and central South America. The USDA-Agricultural Research Service (ARS) first learned of this insect in Argentina and has worked with it there and at the USDA-ARS lab in Ft. Lauderdale, Florida.
Lab testing demonstrated that the planthopper can feed and reproduce only on water hyacinth, and that just two generations of feeding can reduce plant biomass by up to 70%. Planthoppers start out as eggs, go through 5...
- Posted by: Gale Perez
From California Ag Today by Patrick Cavanaugh, Farm News Director :: Aug. 8, 2016
Vigilant Seed Bank Reduction: Whatever it takes, don't let weeds set seed.
By Patrick Cavanaugh, Farm News Director
For the past 15 years, Robert Norris, professor emeritus and vegetable crops weed specialist, UC Davis Department of Plant Sciences, has continued to attend Weed Day each year at UC Davis and to contribute weed photography for
/h3>- Posted by: Gale Perez
From the Fresno State News website and Morning Ag Clips
Fresno State plant science professor Dr. Anil Shrestha was honored by the American Society of Agronomy with its Fellow Award.
The distinction is the organization's highest...
- Author: Ian Grettenberger
- Author: Larry Godfrey
- Author: Richard Smith
- Author: Shimat Villanassery Joseph
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Here's something from the Salinas Valley Agriculture blog :: Aug. 9, 2016
Importance of weeds for bagrada bug populations in the Salinas Valley
Bagrada bug (Bagrada hilaris) is an invasive stink bug that was first observed in the Salinas Valley in October-November 2013. We started monitoring bagrada bug populations in non-crop habitat up and down the Valley starting in January 2015 and have continued to do so since then. We have seen bagrada bug populations beginning to develop on the weeds in spring and summer months. Weeds are clearly a key factor for bagrada bug populations in...
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