- Posted by: Gale Perez
WESTMINSTER, Colorado – April 4, 2023
The U. S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) is developing an updated Endangered Species Act (ESA) Workplan that addresses how the agency can protect nearly 1,700 threatened and endangered species and their critical habitats while governing the registration, distribution, sale and use of pesticides. The Weed Science Society of America (WSSA) and its affiliates encourage growers and land managers to educate themselves immediately on the EPA's Workplan and the changes they likely will need to make to...
- Author: Pershang Hosseini
- Author: Bradley Hanson
- Author: Mohsen B. Mesgaran
- Posted by: Gale Perez
California is the largest producer of processing tomato in the US (Winans et al. 2020). However, the profitability of the tomato industry in California is seriously threatened due to the presence of the parasitic weed branched and Egyptian broomrape (https://ucanr.edu/blogs/blogcore/postdetail.cfm?postnum=50241). These weeds can severely damage the host reducing the aerial biomass and leaf chlorophyll content (Mauromicale et al. 2008) with yield losses of up to 80% (Eizenberg and Goldwasser 2018).
Broomrape produces hundreds of thousands of tiny seeds (0.2 – 0.4 mm), which can be transported easily by humans, water, wind, and animals (Eizenberg et...
- Author: Karey Windbiel-Rojas
- Posted by: Gale Perez
Weed management in landscaped areas can be challenging. Weeds may need to be controlled for public safety, fire reduction, aesthetics, and elimination of harborage for other pests. While many non-chemical options for controlling weeds exist—such as physical removal with tools, steam, flame or steam devices, grazing animals, and others—there are some situations that may require the application of herbicides.
For decades, glyphosate has been a common active ingredient used to control weeds in both agricultural and nonagricultural settings. However, there has been significant public concern about the use of glyphosate and other herbicides due to their potential effect on water quality, public health, and non-target...
- Author: Amber Vinchesi-Vahl
- Posted by: Gale Perez
The Pest Management Strategic Plan for Processing Tomatoes in California (see attachment) was published in May 2021 and encompasses a wealth of information on pest issues and farming practices for processing tomatoes in California.
Myself, Cooperative Extension Specialist Cassandra Swett, and UC IPM collaborated on creating this document directly from stakeholder input and funding from the Western IPM Center. Below I have highlighted the documented critical needs for managing weeds in processing tomato production in California (more detail on each can be found in the PMSP, cited below). These needs were prioritized by growers, PCAs, academics and industry for the state, the northern growing region and the...
- Author: Carol Mallory-Smith
- Posted by: Gale Perez
Dr. Brad Hanson was selected as a Fellow of the Western Society of Weed Science (WSWS) at the 76th annual meeting held February 27-March 3, 2023, in Boise, Idaho. The Fellow Award is the highest honor of the Society and recognizes individuals who have made significant contributions to the Society and to the discipline of Weed Science. Brad has a long record of serving the Society in leadership roles and was previously recognized as WSWS Outstanding Early Career Weed Scientist in 2011. In addition to WSWS, he is active in the California Weed Science Society and the Weed Science Society of America.