Almonds
Effect of Almond Shell Mulch Application on Established Alfalfa Fields
Almond shells were applied as a mulch to an established alfalfa field in Yolo County over a two-year period. The intent of the study was to see if alfalfa could serve as…
Progressive Crop Consultant
May / June 2025
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May / June 2025
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Ag Industry
UC Works with Blackeye Growers to Improve Varieties for the California Industry
Black-eyed peas, also called cowpeas, are a bean species native to Africa in the Vigna genus of legumes. Cowpeas were introduced to the United States as early as the 16th century by…
Irrigation
Hass Avocado Crop Water Consumption Affected by Various Environmental and Plant Factors
In California, avocado (Persea americana Mill.) is primarily grown in southern and central parts of the state along the coast where 88% (USDA-NASS 2023) of the avocados are grown in the United…
Nutrition
It’s the Little Things that Count When Establishing a Crop
Literally and figuratively, it is the little things that count when establishing crops. Yes, it is the microbes that we are talking about! When it comes to soil management, growers often have…
Pests
Linking Vegetation, Wildlife and Pest Control: Can Natural Habitat Help Manage Pests?
Invasive pests can wreak havoc on orchards, and keeping them in check often means frequent pesticide applications. With increasing pesticide regulations and the rising costs of chemical applications, growers of all crop…
Grapes
Understanding the Vineyard Microbiome and Soil Health
“Soil health” and “healthy soils” have become popular topics in recent years as evidenced by the increased number of government programs and commercial products aimed at improving soil health. The desirable properties…
Disease
Orchard Floor Management to Promote Mycorrhizal Fungi and Carbon Cycling
Plant-associated arbuscular mycorrhizal fungi (AMF) participate in soil carbon storage, improve soil aggregation and promote plant health and crop yield. Like other perennial crops, citrus trees create associations with AMF (Wu and…
Weeds
New Data Illustrates the Current State of Echinochloa spp. Herbicide Resistance in California Rice
California rice growers are well acquainted with reduced herbicide efficacy, whether experienced on their own or witnessed on a neighbor’s acres. Weed populations tolerant or resistant to herbicides have been spreading throughout…
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