Topics in Subtropics

There are many changes going on in the citrus industry and one opportunity is the conversion of an orchard to another variety of citrus. If this is a consideration, then the question becomes one of whether the orchard should be topworked or replanted with new nursery trees.

Deficit irrigation research by Dr.David Goldhamer has yielded some interesting results in navel oranges.

The light 2011 olive crop may result in a heavy crop load in 2012. With the prospect of a heavy crop load, it may be wise to consider thinning to reduce fruit quantity and increase fruit size. Management of fruit size may be achieved by pruning and/or chemical thinning.

Introduction Dry Root Rot has menaced growers in Ventura County for many years. In the 50's and 60's it seemed most prevalent on older orange trees. A few years after the wet winter of 1968- 69, dry root rot became an increasing problem among citrus trees of all ages.

The date palm (Phoenix dactylifera L.) made its way to California through the Spanish missions in the late seventeenth century. In its native ranges of North Africa and the Middle East, the date provided food, fiber and shelter.