Yearly Archives: 2016

Zone Irrigation, Part 1 – Zone Irrigation Concepts

Posted on July 20 2016 by Allan Fulton

Variable soils contribute to irregular patterns of crop water stress and in turn more variable crop development and pest problems over the course of a season. One concept to irrigating highly variable soils that is gaining some adoption is zone irrigation. Zone irrigation is being used in some orchard settings in the Sacramento Valley where changes in topography are gradual and variability in soil profile depth, texture, structure, and water-holding capacity exists. Continue reading →

New Olive Disease in California

Posted on July 17 2016 by Dani Lightle

Earlier this spring, oil olives with severe defoliation in San Joaquin county were sent in for diagnosis by UC Plant Pathologist Florent Trouillas. He has isolated a putative pathogen, Neofabraea species. In addition to defoliation, leaf lesions and elongate twig lesions were also associated with this fungus. Here is a list of what we know and don’t know about this disease. Continue reading →

Preharvest & Harvest Prune Orchard Practices in a Tough Year

Posted on July 10 2016 by Franz Niederholzer

The 2016 prune crop in California is forecast to be 45,000 dried tons, or about 1000 lbs dried fruit/acre based on current acreage data provided by growers. The crop for next year is beginning to develop this year, so deficiencies this year can limit the crop next year. Cutting back instead of eliminating inputs/investment is the best approach in a year like this, keeping in mind that next year might be tough, too, if there is a big crop that has to be farmed with the light returns from this year. The following are some practices to consider in every year, modified in light of the challenges of a light crop. Continue reading →