Its reproductive strategy is primarily vegetative, from root buds on lateral roots. However, blueweed seed may have reached California in contaminated alfalfa or oats grown in Texas. Blueweed is highly competitive in several crops and cropping systems including cotton, wheat, and sorghum. A noxious weed in California. In agricultural fields, prevent new blueweed infestations by planting certified crop seed and cleaning equipment after working in infested fields.
New shoots arise from root buds on the laterals and form dense semi-circular patches.
Hoeing, grubbing, or hand pulling small patches may be effective, if continually repeated for several years. Intensive cultivation repeated throughout the growing season for at least two years has been effective in eradicating blueweed. This requires plowing to a minimum depth of seven inches at monthly or bimonthly intervals. Infrequent cultivation will likely spread the weed, as rootstocks may be severed and dragged by tillage equipment. Tillage implements should be thoroughly cleaned after working in infested areas, to prevent spread of root pieces to new fields.