UC Rice Blog

In addition to the well-known rice weeds we deal with every year, there are a couple of weeds I want to bring to your attention this year. One is an invasive and the other has been with us for a while.

Last month I contributed a small article for Rice Farming Magazine. I used data generated by the UC Weed Project to illustrate the point of how difficult, complicated and expensive weed control can be once herbicide-resistant weeds are established in a field.

Are you looking for continuing education units (CEUs) to complete your renewal application this year for the Department of Pesticide Regulation (DPR)? The UC Statewide IPM Program has several online courses available that can help you get those last few needed credits.

It is difficult to accurately estimate yield losses due to armyworm damage. Early infestations that injure only foliage can reduce tillering, delay the crop, and cause uneven maturity. Infestations during heading and grain filling injure the panicle, causing blanks and broken panicle branches.

The armyworm outbreak we experienced a few weeks ago seems to be over. Several fields in Glenn and Butte counties had very high populations and experienced severe defoliation. In some cases, the affected areas have recovered (see pictures below).