SJC and Delta Field Crops

It is the time of year when the harvest of our summer crops has concluded. Some growers may be planting small grains, and let us hope that winter rains nourish these crops. I received an inquiry from a grower at the end of harvest regarding nutrient removal with the harvest.

Wireworms are the soil-dwelling larvae of click beetles. They feed on the seeds and roots of various crops and are a particular pest of field corn in the Sacramento-San Joaquin River Delta region (Figure 1).

California agriculture is successful, in large part, because of the Mediterranean climate and irrigation infrastructure. While irrigating crops is the norm, there are growers who practice dryland, or rainfed, farming. These growers utilize winter rainfall to produce the crop.

I was speaking with a colleague a few weeks ago about field drainage in the Delta. Our conversation reminded me of a farm visit that I made a couple of years ago. I visited a corn field that was not growing well, and sections of the field had standing water.

In late August, I visited a kidney bean field that was exhibiting stress symptoms, like necrotic leaves and stunting. Even though the field was near harvest, the consultant asked if I would take a look at it.