- Author: Ben Faber
It's winter time and avocados and other subtropicals are prone to frost damage. Little trees especially that haven't developed a canopy that can trap heat are the most prone. So it gets cold and all the orchard looks fine, but there's one tree that doesn't look right and in a couple of days it really stands out.
Here's an example of a year old tree that turned brown and it actually looks like it was doing better than the trees surrounding. It's bigger and has a fuller canopy..... or at least it did.
But there's all the symptoms of frost damage - bronzed leaves and dead tips.
A week after the cold weather, there is already sunburn damage on the exposed stems. See the brown spots on the upper fork? That will soon turn all brown and dry up.
This is still a healthy tree with green stems, in spite of the burned leaves. Now is the time to protect the tree from sunburn damage. This is what can kill the little tree. Time to white wash it.
Why did it happen to this one tree? Maybe it was a little bigger and needed more water than the surrounding trees. Maybe sitting on a rock and didn't have enough rooting volume for water. Maybe a touch of root rot (although the roots looked pretty good even for winter time). And there were ground squirrels in the area. Easy to bklamne them.
Listen to the sound of winter frost control
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=rwTJveN8cIE
And when freeze damage gets extreme
https://ucanr.edu/blogs/blogcore/postdetail.cfm?postnum=16448
- Author: Ben Faber
Multiple species of Phytophthora have been identified in production facilities of plants used in reforestation and restoration projects. There's a risk that infected plant stock will lead to Phytophthora species establishing and spreading in habitats that, having never experienced their presence, may be highly susceptible to infection. Eradication of these pathogens, once introduced into wildlands, is impossible. Thus, monitoring nursery stock is key, but sampling large production lots is still prohibitively complex and expensive. We tested three new sampling approaches that are practical for large production lots: baiting of small portions of symptomatic plant material pooled from multiple samples in addition to whole plant sampling; baiting of bench irrigation leachate; and training dogs to identify the pathogens. The first two methods detected Phytophthora with a high confidence level directly from batches of plants, but they are not designed to identify each infected plant specifically. Trained dogs identified individual batches of soil and water containing Phytophthora with a 100% accuracy and the research is continuing, to see if dogs can recognize the pathogen from individual infected plants and plant parts and discriminate its smell from other scents.
Read on:
Swiecki T, Quinn M, Sims L, Bernhardt E, Oliver L, Popenuck T, Garbelotto M. 2018. Three new Phytophthora detection methods, including training dogs to sniff out the pathogen, prove reliable. Calif Agr 72(4):217-225.https://doi.org/10.3733/ca.2018a0026.
Download citation as .RIS
- Author: Ben Faber
Upcoming CAS/UC/CAC Seminar Addresses
Mulch,
Phytophthora and
Gibberellic Acid Use
The California Avocado Society will host the first of its 2019 California Avocado Growers Seminar Series with workshops focused on mulch and Phytophthora. Dr. Ben Faber, Dr. Tim Spann and Dr. Carol Lovatt will deliver presentations at the seminars.
Dr. Ben Faber, UC Cooperative Extension Soils/Water/Subtropical Crops Farm Advisor, will speak about the benefits of using mulch in avocado groves. Ben will discuss the various types of mulch that can be used, how and when to apply them and the benefits of using mulch in avocado groves.
Dr. Tim Spann, California Avocado Commission Research Program Director, will cover Phytophthora 101. Tim will discuss what phytophthora species affect avocados, how to recognize symptoms of phytophthora infection in avocados and best management practices for dealing with phytophthora.
Dr. Carol Lovatt, UC Riverside Emeritus Professor of Plant Physiology, will discuss the use of gibberellic acid (GA) plant growth regulator on avocados. A special local needs registration was obtained in early 2018 for use of GA on avocado in California. Carol will discuss the benefits of using GA, and when and how to apply it for those growers interested in trying this new tool.
The seminars will be held as follows:
Tuesday, February 5, 1:00 p.m. – 3:00 p.m.
SLO Farm Bureau, 4875 Morabito Place, San Luis Obispo, CA 93401
Wednesday, February 6, 9:00 a.m. – 11:00 a.m.
UC Cooperative Extension Office Auditorium, 669 County Square Drive, Ventura, CA 93003
Thursday, February 7, 12: 30 p.m. – 2:30 p.m.
Fallbrook Public Utility District Board Room, 990 East Mission Road, Fallbrook, CA 92028
And read more about Mulch Myths:
https://ucanr.edu/blogs/blogcore/postdetail.cfm?postnum=28917
- Author: Ben Faber
SWEEP and Healthy Soils Grants
Opportunity Workshop
February 14, 2018
Ventura, CA
Co-sponsored by
University of California Cooperative Extension
Ventura County Farm Bureau
Ventura Co. Resource Conservation District
CA Dept of Food & Agriculture
Why: Apply for CDFA funding- State Water efficiency and Enhancement Program (SWEEP) and Healthy Soils Program (HSP).Receive up to $100,000 in grant funding to improve your on-farm water and energy efficiency and healthy soil practices through the grant funding programs. During the workshop irrigation specialists will:
- Provide a comprehensive review of SWEEP/HSP and summary of other CDFA Climate Smart Grant programs
- Guide you through the required water savings and greenhouse gas reduction calculations
- Show you how to assemble a strong grant proposal
When: Thursday, February 14, 2019
2:00 PM - 4:00 PM
Where: UC Cooperative Extension office, 669 County Square Dr., Ventura 93003. California Conference room
Presenters: Andre Biscaro, Irrigation and Water Resources Advisor
Jamie Whiteford, Irrigation Specialist, Ventura/Cachuma RCDs
Khaled Bali, Irrigation Specialist, UC Kearney Agricultural Research and Extension Center
Daniele Zaccaria, Agricultural Water Management Specialist, UC Davis
Registration: To register go to: https://www.eventbrite.com/e/sweep-and-healthy-soils-grants-opportunity-workshop-tickets-54711473490
Questions: Contact Andre Biscaro, 805-645-1465, email: asbiscaro@ucanr.edu
Grant info.: Applications are due March 8, 2019 online at
https://www.cdfa.ca.gov/oefi/sweep/
https://www.cdfa.ca.gov/oefi/healthysoils/
The SWEEP/HSP provides financial assistance in the form of grants to implement irrigation systems that reduce greenhouse gases and save water on California agricultural operations. Eligible system components include (among others) soil moisture monitoring, drip systems, switching to low pressure irrigation systems, pump retrofits, variable frequency drives and installation of renewable energy to reduce on-farm water use and energy.
Please feel free to contact us if you need special accommodations.
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Free One-On-One Technical Assistance to Apply for Grant Funds Need help in developing and /or submitting your project proposal? Schedule your free one-on-one Technical Assistance session, contact your local UC Cooperative Extension Office for additional information at 805-645-1465 |
The University of California prohibits discrimination or harassment of any person in any of its programs or activities. (Complete nondiscrimination policy statement can be found at http://ucanr.org/sites/anrstaff/files/107734.doc). Inquiries regarding the University's equal employment opportunity policies may be directed to Affirmative Action Contact and Title IX Officer, University of California, Agriculture and Natural Resources, 2801 2nd Street, Davis, CA 95618, (530) 750-1397; titleixdiscrimination@ucanr.edu.
- Author: Ben Faber
Pesticide Safety Instructor TrainingWorkshops
Update your knowledge of changing regulations!
Registration:
http://ipm.ucanr.edu/IPMPROJECT/workshops.html
This course meets the requirements established by the revised Worker Protection Standard, which is mandated by the US Environmental Protection Agency and the California Department of Pesticide Regulation. This workshop, presented by the UC Integrated Pest Management Program, AgSafe and support from WCAHS, will qualify participants who successfully complete the program to train fieldworkers and pesticide handlers under these revised regulations. Topics will cover pesticide exposure, signs and symptoms of illness, emergency medical care, proper use of personal protective equipment, safe handling and transportation of pesticides, and laws and regulations regarding labels and safety data sheets.
Who Should Attend?
Ag supervisors • Growers • Farm Labor Contractors • Safety Managers • Safety Trainers
Cost
$50 per person. Payment is by credit card only.
Continental breakfast, lunch and materials provided. Includes a certificate of completion.
No refunds will be given.
Space is limited, register early!
http://ipm.ucanr.edu/IPMPROJECT/workshops.html
Dates
Classes will be from 8:00 a.m. – 5:00 p.m. Check-in begins at 7:45am.
January 29
Modesto
English
February 20
Vista
English
February 15
Modesto
Spanish
February 20
Vista
Spanish
February 12
Santa Paula
English
April 16
Fresno
English
February 13
Santa Paula
Spanish
April 18
Fresno
Spanish
Continuing Education hours will be available through California Department of Pesticide Regulations (DPR).
Seguridad de Pesticidas Talleres de Formación de Instructores
Actualicé su conocimiento sobre los cambios regulatorios!
Este curso cumple con los requisitos revisados por la Norma de Protección del Trabajador, que es un mandato de la Agencia de Protección Ambiental de Estados Unidos y el Departamento de Regulación de Pesticidas de California. Este taller, presentado por el Programa de Manejo Integrado de Plagas de la Universidad de California y AgSafe, con apoyo de WCAHS, calificará a los participantes que completen el programa con la capacidad de entrenar a trabajadores de campo y manejadores de pesticidas bajo estas regulaciones revisadas. Los temas cubren la exposición a plaguicidas, síntomas de la enfermedad, la atención médica de emergencia, el uso adecuado del equipo de protección personal, manipulación y transporte seguro de los plaguicidas y las leyes y reglamentos relativos a las etiquetas y fichas de datos de seguridad.
¿Quién debeasistir?
Supervisores agrícolas • Productores • Contratistas de trabajadores agrícolas Supervisores de seguridad • Entrenadores de seguridad
Costo
$50 por persona. El pago es solamente con tarjeta de crédito.
Desayuno, almuerzo y los materiales serán proporcionados. Incluye un certificado de finalización. No se darán reembolsos.
¡El espacio es limitado, regístrese temprano!
Fechas
Clases empiezan a las 8:00 a.m. – 5:00 p.m. Registración empieza a las 7:45am.
29 de enero
Modesto
Inglés
20 de febrero
Vista
Inglés
15 de febrero
Modesto
Español
21 de febrero
Vista
Español
12 de febrero
Santa Paula
Inglés
16 de abril
Fresno
Inglés
13 de febrero
Santa Paula
Español
18 de abril
Fresno
Español
