Growing the Valley

Mating disruption has been found to reduce NOW damage in almonds by, on average, 50%, however we think it is most effective when it is applied in blocks that are 40 acres or larger. This means that a lot of growers who may be interested in mating disruption feel like they may not be able to use it due to their small blocks. A collaborative partnership between the Almond Board of California, Univer...

Pacific flatheaded borer has recently become a pest of concern in walnuts, though it has been known to damage walnuts for a long time. Jhalendra Rijal has been researching its biology and control methods and has provided us with an update on his findings. Mention of an agrichemical does not constitute a recommendation, merely the sharing of research findings. Always follow the label. The label is...

Daisy Hernandez has been conducting research on Ganoderma adspersum as part of her doctoral dissertation. She shares some more things that she’s learned since our last episode on this wood decay fungi, as well as a few tips for growers who are replanting in sites with known G. adspersum issues. Upcoming Extension Meetings: Sacramento Valley San Joaquin Valley (scroll to the bottom) The views, thou...

Whole orchard recycling (WOR) is becoming commonplace in almonds, and we have several research trials scattered across the state examining best practices and potential benefits from this practice. It has not been looked at as extensively in walnuts, which will contribute much more biomass to the soil. Luke shares the results from some of this trials in this episode. Upcoming Extension Meetings: Sa...

Phoebe discusses some research she has conducted with Greg Browne (USDA plant pathologist) on examining phosphorus fertilization in newly planted almond orchards. Upcoming Extension Meetings: Sacramento Valley San Joaquin Valley (scroll to the bottom) The views, thoughts, and opinions expressed are the speaker’s own and do not represent the views, thoughts, and opinions of the University of Califo...

Dr. Katherine Jarvis-Shean (UCCE Yolo, Solano, and Sacramento) and Luke talk about the early testing of treatments for low winter chill in California walnut orchards . Upcoming Extension Meetings: Sacramento Valley San Joaquin Valley (scroll to the bottom) Mention of an agrichemical does not constitute a recommendation, merely the sharing of research findings. Always follow the label. The label is...

Franz Niederholzer (UCCE Colusa and Sutter-Yuba) and Luke talk about March almond, prune, and walnut tasks in the Sacramento Valley.   Sac Valley Meetings: https://www.sacvalleyorchards.com/events/ Cover Cropping in Conventional Orchards and Vineyards: Arbuckle Area Tour March 8 @ 1:00 pm - 4:00 pm Southern Sacramento Valley Walnut Meeting – March 22nd at Norton Hall in Woodland from 8 AM to...

Leaffooted bugs are a sporadic pest in orchards, but when they appear they can cause serious damage. There are few management guidelines as it is believed that this insect was less of a pest in the past due to widespread useage of broad spectrum insecticides. As the nut crop industries have moved to more selective insecticides, an IPM success to be sure, plant bugs have increased in prevalence, or...

Roger Duncan discusses his research over several years showing that in some situations compost may not improve orchard performance and grower bottom line. Roger’s article on how “ Compost May Not Improve Orchard Performance ”.   The views, thoughts, and opinions expressed are the speaker’s own and do not represent the views, thoughts, and opinions of the University of California. The material...

Leslie Holland, Assistant Professor at University of Wisconsin, Madison, shares the results of some of her work examining fungicides to suppress Botryosphaeria infections in almond pruning wounds as a Ph. D. student at UC Davis. Leslie shares what works, as well as the key tip to dealing with fungal infections in orchard crops: preventing the infection from occurring in the first place. Mention of...

Bacterial canker can be a serious disease affecting young Prunus species. It is closely connected to weather and tree health. Mohammad Yaghmour discusses what conditions lead to bacterial canker and what growers can do to lessen its severity. Episode transcript Thank you to the Almond, Pistachio, Prune, and Walnut Boards of California for their kind donations. Thank you to Muriel Gordon for the mu...

Luke discusses the recent history of sudden autumn walnut frost events in California’s Central Valley, how to prevent damage ahead of the next sudden frost, and how to rehabilitate damaged orchards. Recorded Zoom webinar: Practical Canker Management in Almond and Prune: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=p4JwrMGKros&t=3s   Articles referenced in the podcast: Six steps to prepare for the next...

Measuring soil moisture by hand with the “feel” method, or with modern senor technology can be a powerful irrigation management tool. I sit down with Allan Fulton (UCCE Irrigation Advisor) to discuss how to measure and interpret orchard soil moisture. You can lean more about soil moisture sensor selection at: http://www.sacvalleyorchards.com/blog/soil-moisture-sensor-selection-is-confusing/ Thanks...

Kadie Britt discusses research results from a project examining the effects of cover crop on overwintering NOW larvae mortality. Upcoming meetings: Introduction to Irrigation Management series to be held in Madera (Nov 7), Bakersfield (Nov 14), and Modesto (Nov 16). Best Management Practices for Soil Health to be held at the Kearney Ag Center in Parlier (Nov 16). Thank you to the Almond, Pistachio...

Dr. Ben Faber (UCCE Ventura County) discusses the effects of heat damage in orchard crops and practices to help manage high temperatures that are occurring more frequently with climate change. Upcoming events:   Zoom webinar: Practical Canker Management in Almond and Prune: Register here Thursday, September 29, 9–10:30 AM PST The webinar will feature UC plant pathologists Florent Trouillas an...

Dr. Themis Michailides has been seeing increased mold in walnut pathology samples in recent years. The UC Davis Plant Pathologist at the Kearney Ag Center discusses his lab’s research on the biology and management of the disease. An article based on this episode, can be found at: sacvalleyorchards.com/walnuts/diseases/managing-mold Mention of a pesticide does not constitute a pesticide recommendat...

Dr. Rich Rosecrance and Becky Wheeler-Dykes (CSU Chico) discuss their latest findings on the mechanical pruning of prune trees. You can learn more at: sacvalleyorchards.com/prunes/year-round-management-prunes/mechanical-pruning-in-french and sacvalleyorchards.com/photos-from-the-field/box-hedging-decrease-prune-sunburn .This critical research is made possible by generous support from the Prune Boa...

In this encore episode Dr. Themis Michailides (UC Davis Plant Pathologist) discusses his lab’s advances against Cytospora cankers, a disease that can devastate prune orchards. Upcoming webinar: “Practical Canker Management in Almond and Prune” Thursday, September 29 from 9 – 10:30 AM PST. The webinar will feature UC plant pathologists Florent Trouillas and Themis Michailides discussing the latest...

Phoebe discusses irrigation pumps, including their capacity and maintenance, with Jon Chilcote, a USDA NRCS team engineer for the Southern San Joaquin Valley. The website for the Department of Water Resources groundwater data: http://wdl.water.ca.gov/waterdatalibrary/ There are several additional resources you can find on our episode page. Thank you to the Almond Board of California and the Califo...

Despite it’s fun acronym (BFF), the newly introduced Black Fig Fly is no friend to figs. Native to the Mediterranean, it’s recently been found in Southern California and causing damage to fruit there. Kadie Britt, a postdoctoral scholar at UC Riverside, describes what we know about it and what she and her colleagues are doing to learn about its life cycle and behavior in California. Thank you to t...

Mel Machado (Blue Diamond Almond Growers) discusses important considerations for timing almond harvest, including grower objectives, varieties, and nut quality. Resource links related to almond harvest: When do you shake almonds? Maintaining Quality with Pick Up & Stockpiling Best Practices Thank you to the Almond, Pistachio, Prune, and Walnut Boards of California for their kind donations. Tha...

Dr. Franz Niederholzer (UCCE Orchard Advisor in Colusa and Sutter/Yuba) discusses how irrigation best practices in prune orchards this summer maximize grower returns and orchard longevity. Details at: https://www.sacvalleyorchards.com/prunes/irrigation-prunes/pre-and-post-harvest/ Thank you to the Almond, Pistachio, Prune, and Walnut Boards of California for their kind donations. Thank you to Muri...

Dr. Ken Shackel (UC Davis) sits down to discuss what we know about coping with drought in almond production. For more information consult the UC Almond Drought Tip . Thank you to the Almond, Pistachio, Prune, and Walnut Boards of California for their kind donations. Thank you to Muriel Gordon for the music. The views, thoughts, and opinions expressed are the speaker’s own and do not represent the...

In the 200th episode of Growing the Valley Podcast – Sarah Castro (UC Davis) discusses exciting new varieties in the prune breeding program. Mark your calendars for the August 4th UC Davis Prune Breeding Program Summer Field Meeting ! If you can come to the meeting, or if you want to learn more about trialing a new variety, please email: scastro AT ucdavis.edu Learn more about these varieties on S...

Phoebe, Luke, and Roger Duncan (UCCE Stanislaus) discuss results out of their respective regional almond variety trial sites. Additional resources: Two walnut meetings on Thursday, June 16. UCCE Walnut rootstock field meeting in Lake County & in Princeton (Colusa County), from CAFF: Biologically Integrated Orchards Systems (BIOS): Predatory Mite Release, Predator Attractants, and Cover Crops i...