Viticultural Information

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Subject

Weed Identification

Description

In order to maintain profitable production, weed management must be an integral part of the total program throughout the life of the vineyard. Weed control is especially important in the first few years after planting, since heavy weed competition can reduce vine vigor and delay fruit production. Besides competing for essential water and nutrients, weeds can host diseases, insects, and nematodes, and provide a favorable environment for rodent pests. In vineyards irrigated with low volume emitters, weeds interfere with water distribution. Weeds growing within the vine rows can also increase production costs and reduce harvest efficiency.

Proper weed identification is essential for any weed management program. If you know which weeds are present in your vineyard, you can learn about their growth habits, life cycles and competitiveness for water and nutrients. The references below, and local farm advisors or PCAs can help you identify and control weeds.

People

Kendra Baumgartner
T.I. Ditomaso
C. L. Elmore
K. J. Hembree
C. A. Ingels
W. T. Lanini
Anil Shrestha
Kerri Steenwerth

Links

UC IPM Grape Weed Photo Gallery

Publications

DiTomaso, J.M. and E.A. Healy. 2006. Weeds of California and Other Western States. University of California Division of Agriculture and Natural Resources, Publication 3488.
This 2-volume set covers 262 individual entries, including a full description of 451 species and another 361 plants compared as similar species, representing 63 plant families; 13 shortcut identification tables; 2 grass identification keys; color photos of over 700 weeds including seeds, seedlings, flowers, and mature plants; CD of all of the photographs from the book, suitable for use in PowerPoint presentations. Buy book

DiTomaso, J.M. 2003. Aquatic and Riparian Weeds of the West. University of California Division of Agriculture and Natural Resources, Publication 3421.
This is the first comprehensive identification manual for aquatic and riparian weeds west of the Rocky Mountains. This practical, easy-to-use guide covers 171 aquatic plant species -- consisting of 58 plant groups, including a full description of 82 species and another 96 plants compared as similar species, representing 42 plant families; over 560 photographs; 442 pages. Buy book

Ingels, C.A., Bugg, R.L., McGourty, G.T., and Christensen, L.P. (eds.) 1998. Cover Cropping in Vineyards. University of California Division of Agricultural and Natural Resources Publication 3338, Oakland, CA. Buy book

This website is a work in progress of the University of California (UC) Division of Agricultural and Natural Resources (ANR) Integrated Grape Production Workgroup. It is designed to increase accessability to the work of UC researchers, including faculty, Cooperative Extension (CE) specialists, CE advisors, and staff. UC Researchers interested in contributing content are invited to contact Deborah Golino dagolino@ucdavis.edu to discuss possible contributions.