- Author: Chris M. Webb
Weed management in production agriculture is vital for high crop yields. Organic growers are wise to formulate a comprehensive weed control strategy, which can help them achieve economically acceptable weed control and crop yields.
UC’s free publication, Weed Management for Organic Crops shares practices to help reduce weed pressure in organic fields.
Topics include:
- Water management
- Crop competition
- Reducing the weed seed bank
- Cultivation
- Flamers
- Sterilization
- Mulches
- Beneficial organisms
- Chemical control
- Author: Chris M. Webb
The February 2011 issue of UC IPM’s Green Bulletin has many practical and relevant articles for pest management professionals and pesticide applicators.
The featured article is titled, Ways to calibrate spray application equipment. Illustrations, conversions, and formulas needed to apply the proper amount of pesticide for any given area are included. Applying only the recommended amount of chemicals may reduce the amount of pesticides that runoff or leach into groundwater. Precision can also save applicators time and money.
Other articles in this addition may also appeal to home gardeners. Common turfgrass species provides text, photos and illustrations to help identify turfgrass species. Guide to common weeds in lawns in California features photos and text of the eight most common lawn weeds found in California. Brief general management instructions are also included along with a link for more detailed information.
The Ask the Expert! section provides an assortment of information including why people should never wear cloth hats or caps while spraying pesticides. Do you know why? The cloth hats can absorb pesticides and keep them on your skin. If you wear a hat while spraying be sure it is made of plastic or another material which does not absorb water.
Common turfgrass species and Guide to common weeds in lawns in California are available in Spanish.
- Author: Chris M. Webb
Poison oak is the most hazardous plant in California. It gained this distinction due to the annual number of working hours lost from allergic contact dermatitis caused by poison oak. The allergic reaction occurs in 80-85% of the population. It can cause skin irritation, itching and blisters.
Transmission of the allergen can occur by direct contact with the plant at any time of year; by touching contaminated clothing, tools, or animals; or by breathing the smoke caused by burning poison oak. The smoke is extremely hazardous. Inhaling this smoke can cause severe respiratory irritation. Never purposely burn poison oak.
A native of Western North America, poison oak (Toxicodendron diversilobum) can thrive in a variety of settings. It can grow as a shrub or as a climbing vine. Leaves normally consist of three leaflets, but not always. Leaves can be glossy or dull. In the spring these plants produce flowers and in the summer berries. In fall foliage turns from green to orange and red.
To find out more about this plant including: impact on livestock, treating allergic contact dermatitis, biology, and management, please see UC ANR’s Poison Oak Pest Note.
- Author: Chris M. Webb
Several years ago UCCE Farm Advisor Oleg Daugovish hosted an organic production education outreach event.
Some of the presentations from the course can be found on our website. Binders full of materials, which provide an in-depth view of the subject, were given to participants. Topics covered include: cover cropping; disease and insect management; economics of production; fertility management; and weed management.
We have some of these binders available. Please contact our office if you would like to receive a copy.
- Author: Chris M. Webb
While the catchweed bedstraw Galium aparine has historically provided some positive benefits, overall this plant is unwelcome. A native of North America this weed can be found throughout California, particularly in moist, shady areas causing problems in agricultural production, landscapes and vegetable gardens.
Stems of this mature plant can reach up to six feet long. A winter or summer annual in our state, peak germination typically occurs in mid to late December, with a secondary germination in February or March. Plants typically produce 100 to 400 seeds a piece. These seeds can remain viable in the soil for up to three years.
In addition to competing for nutrients, water and light catchweed bedstraw can host several nematode, insect and disease pests. Other problems associated with this weed include entanglement in farm equipment, and contamination and subsequent reduction in the value of wool or fur of livestock animals.
For advice in managing this weed, home gardeners and landscape professionals can download UC ANR’s recently updated Catchweed Bedstraw for Home publication.
Commercial growers can find advice in combating this weed at the UC IPM Pest Management Guideline website.
Catchweed bedstraw seedling.
Photo by Joseph DiTomaso
Catchweed bedstraw stem.
Photo by Joseph DiTomaso
Catchweed bedstraw flowers and fruit.
Photo by Joseph DiTomaso