Current Northern Sacramento Valley ET Report – Nov 15
Irrigation Evapotranspiration (ET) Report for Tehama, Butte and Colusa county CIMIS stations. Continue reading
Author Archives: Sacramento Valley Orchards
Current Southern Sacramento Valley ET Report – Nov 16
Irrigation Evapotranspiration (ET) Report for the Woodland, Davis, Staten Island, and Verona CIMIS stations. Continue reading
New Threat to California Almonds: Red Leaf Blotch
In late May 2024, unusual symptoms on leaves, including yellow spots and orange to dark red-brown blotches, were detected in an almond orchard (Nonpareil, Monterey and Fritz) on the border of Merced and Madera counties. Continue reading
Ethephon for Earlier Harvest
Ethephon, also known as Ethrel®, is an ethylene-based plant growth regulator applied at walnut maturity, or shortly thereafter, which accelerates hull cracking and separation from the shell. This advances walnut harvest by four to seven days, depending on the season and variety, and nut value is increased by lighter kernel color and possibly less insect damage. Continue reading
Phellinus wood rot, or “Why do my trees blow up at harvest?”
California’s prune industry faces a significant challenge: a decline in orchard lifespan. A primary disease culprit associated with premature orchard decline is the loss of fruit-producing scaffolds likely caused by the heart rot fungus Phellinus pomaceus (formerly called P. tuberculosus). Continue reading
The Big Three in Prunes
The three most important management decisions dictating fruit size and crop size (and therefore grower returns) are 1) cropload management, 2) irrigation, and 3) nutrient management (especially potassium). Continue reading
Carpophilus Beetle: What We Know
Carpophilus beetle (Carpophilus truncatus) is a small insect that causes severe damage to almond kernels. Humid conditions increase the emergence and rate of development, leading to multiple generations within a season. Continue reading
New UC Davis Prune Varieties Prove Promising
The UC Davis Prune breeding program is eager to patent a new variety, Yolo Gold, as well as promote new promising French-type cultivars. Continue reading
Wet years can lead to aerial Phytophthora outbreaks in almond orchards
Pytophthora was detected as early as mid-February in Fresno County and reported statewide by the early summer of 2023. Almond growers should be prepared to respond to strengthening El Niño conditions and the possibility of a recurring outbreak of aerial Phytophthora. Read for insights about the disease symptoms, the pathogen biology, as well as some management guidelines for this relatively rare but serious disease of almond. Continue reading
Tomato Following Walnut: Considerations and Tips
There are some concerns about growing tomatoes on old walnut ground, but very little formal research exists in this area. Continue reading
New UC ANR Website for Cover Cropping Information Resources
A new website features brand new cover cropping information resources and a searchable Expert Grower database for cover cropping practices in California orchards and vineyards. These resources provide detailed information on practical strategies for implementing cover crops and addressing common challenges. Continue reading
“Field Visit: Nematode Management in Walnut” was held in Escalon, CA
Establishing a new walnut orchard is a long-term investment that requires detailed planning to enable 35 to 40 years of bountiful and sustainable production. RLN is estimated to be present in 85% of California walnut orchard soils. Read to learn more. Continue reading
Update on Regional Almond Variety Trials – results through 2022
With funding provided by the Almond Board of California, through assessments paid by almond growers, the University of California has conducted regional field trials in the major almond growing areas of the Central Valley for over 50 years. Read more for an update on Regional Almond Variety Trials Continue reading
Navel Orangeworm Biofix in a Wet Spring
The extremely wet winter this year has likely helped growers to kill more overwintering navel orangeworms (NOW) than in warmer and dryer winter years. However, a wet, cold winter will not kill all NOW, and being complacent might result in a bad NOW year. Continue reading
Strategies for orchard weed management hard economic situations
Reducing weed control in orchards during difficult economic times is possible but comes with some tradeoffs. It’s useful to step back and remember why we’re controlling weeds in the orchard in the first place. Continue reading