Fall 2014: Campus News

Submitted by Don Merhaut and Matt Daugherty

New Weed Specialist at UC Riverside 

Dr. Travis Bean joined the Department of Botany and Plant Sciences at UC Riverside as Cooperative Extension Assistant Weed Science Specialist on September 1, 2014. His work focuses on (1) improving treatment efficacy and reducing unintended consequences of invasive and weedy plant control efforts, particularly from herbicides; (2) determining predictors of different phenological stages to identify opportunities for the management of weeds; and (3) creating and adapting novel technologies to improve weed monitoring efficiency and track population growth. 

Bean earned his B.S. in plant sciences, an M.S. in range management and a Ph.D. in natural resources from the University of Arizona. Prior to joining UC Cooperative Extension, Bean worked as a research specialist at the University of Arizona, where he coordinated regional management of the invasive buffelgrass (Cenchrus ciliaris) among several agencies and jurisdictions, and performed research aimed at improving chemical control. He has also designed, implemented and monitored two large-scale revegetation efforts to restore native plant communities on former agricultural lands in arid southwestern Arizona. 

-Don Merhaut

  

Asian Citrus Psyllid Online Course 

The Asian citrus psyllid and the bacterial disease that it spreads, huanglongbing, are among the most significant threats to citrus production in California. An important element of mitigating the impact of this insect and disease is minimizing human-assisted spread, which has occurred in other regions via the transportation of infested nursery plants. 

UC Cooperative Extension researchers have developed an online course to provide information to retail nursery and garden center personnel that may help limit psyllid infestations in these environments and minimize their role in psyllid and disease spread. The approximately 1-hour course discusses the biology of the insect and disease, how to look for each of them, existing control strategies, and best management practices in a nursery setting. To access the course go to http://class.ucanr.edu/, click on the “Asian Citrus Psyllid & Huanglongbing for Retail Nurseries” link at the bottom of the page, and sign up for an ANR Online Learning account.

-Matt Daugherty