In crops, it is important to circumvent whitetop and hoary cress patches during cultivation and harvesting to prevent spreading their roots throughout the field. It's also a good idea to screen irrigation water before applying it to the field . Surveys along roadways, railways and waterways to detect weed infestations as early as possible are necessary. Once an infestation is found, a small-scale eradication plan should be designed and implemented. This plan should involve determining the infestation boundaries, control treatments, control schedule, revegetation, monitoring and costs.
Diligent hand pulling can help control small infestations.
Successful hand pulling or digging requires complete plant removal within 10 days after weed emergence throughout the growing season for 2 to 4 years. Successful cultivation of whitetop and hoary cress is difficult and requires exhausting the food reserves in the roots. Cultivation to a depth of about six inches must be repeated within 10 days of weed emergence throughout the growing season for 2 to 4 years. Mowing is ineffective in controlling whitetop and hoary cress. However, integrating mowing with herbicide application may provide some control.