The USDA will allow the release of a weevil (Ceratapion basicorne) in the United States to help control yellow starthistle, an invasive weed found in 40 of the lower 48 states. The weevils will initially be released in California. Brad Hanson, weed specialist in Plant Sciences, addresses management of yellow starthistle.
A new article in the journal Science – Fields on Fire: Alternatives to Crop Residue Burning in India – addresses the environmental problems associated with crop burning in India, and presents alternatives such as changing cropping systems and adopting different management practices. J.K. Ladha, Plant Sciences, UC Davis, is a co-author.
New article – Rainfall Drives Variation in Rates of Change in Intrinsic Water Use Efficiency of Tropical Forests – water use efficiency (WUE) was inferred in tropical forest tree rings around the world for most of the 20th century, finding that WUE increased in response to rising CO2.
