UC Weed Science (weed control, management, ecology, and minutia)

Rohith Vulchi and Brad Hanson, Plant Sciences Department, UC DavisBranched broomrape is a parasitic weed that continues to challenge processing tomato production in California. Nearly 70% of its lifecycle is completed underground; once it emerges, it can flower and set seed within just a few weeks. Current…

It is with great sadness that we share the passing of Dr. Jodie Holt, a longtime faculty member in the Department of Botany and Plant Sciences at UC Riverside, who passed away April 27, 2026. Jodie was a leader in weed science whose work helped shape the field at the intersection of ecology and…

Sharing a link to a recent article on collaborative equipment sanitation research and extension efforts aimed at reducing the spread of broomrape seed among processing tomato fields and production regions.  This information ties nicely with the CDFA Broomrape Compliance Agreements that are going out to…

Delayed transplanting suppresses branched broomrape in California processing tomatoes Arpan Bhusal, Rohith Vulchi, Matt Fatino and Brad HansonBranched broomrape (Phelipanche ramosa) has been reported in tomato fields in Yolo, Solano and San Joaquin counties in recent years and continues to challenge…

Some of my weed science extension colleagues in the midwest have a podcast called War Against Weeds  supported with funding from the North Central IPM Center.  I was interviewed on the podcast a few years ago about herbicide resistant weeds in orchards.  Earlier this week, they invited me back…