Topics in Subtropics

Dr. Mark Hoddle will discuss the problems caused by invasive species in California. Invasion statistics of importance to California will be discussed along with relevant aspects of invasion biology that drive invasion pathways, establishment likelihood, and subsequent spread after establishment.

There are always new things to see in the field. Some things show up on occasion, but reliably, like citrus leafminer starts damaging new leaves in the fall. You start to see the leaf spots from Persea mite in the fall, even though they started their nesting/feeding activities in the late spring.

Soil Health is not just one status or practice or one definition. It needs to be in the context of climate in which it's being evaluated. All too often our definitions of a healthy soil come from climates radically different from a Mediterranean or desert climate.

The estimated gross value of Ventura County's agriculture for calendar year 2019 is $1,990,100,000. This represents an overall decrease of 5% in comparison to 2018. Strawberries were again the number one crop at $508,371,000, but decreased by 24% from 2018.

There have been recent reports of a beetle infesting downed avocado fruit in Ventura County. This scolytid weevil was first reported in San Diego in 2010. Gary Bender found it in a high density planting where fruit was lying on the ground.