- Author: Jeannette E. Warnert
Sorghum is not only a potential drought-tolerant crop for the San Joaquin Valley, it also presents the opportunity for scientists to understand the mechanism behind drought tolerance at the genetic level, said UCCE sorghum specialist Jeff Dahlberg in a segment on ABC 30 Action News.
Reporter Cristina Davies spent an hour and a half at the UC Kearney Agricultural Research and Extension Center in Parlier during the sorghum harvest to learn about the potential of sorghum research.
"If we can elucidate the genetics behind (drought...
- Author: Jeannette E. Warnert
The USDA has announced it will allow the release of a weevil (Ceratapion basicorne) in the United States to help control yellow starthistle, an invasive weed found in 40 of the lower 48 states, reported Capital Public Radio. The weevils will initially be released in California.
Ceratapion basicorne is native to Eurasia, the same area where yellow starthistle originated. Yellow starthistle is thought to have been introduced into California from Chile during the Gold Rush. The weed readily took hold in California valleys and foothills, thriving in areas where the soil has been disturbed by animals grazing, road construction and wildland firebreaks....
- Author: Jeannette E. Warnert
The hard work put in every summer by leafcutter bees was spotlighted by KQED Science, which took a Deep Look at an introduced pollinator that makes bountiful alfalfa seed production possible in California.
For facts behind the 'gee whiz' video, KQED turned to Shannon Mueller, UC Cooperative Extension alfalfa advisor emeritus, who helped introduce leafcutter bees in the early 1990s.
What makes leafcutter bees special? It's their innate ability to...
- Author: Jeannette E. Warnert
The invasive beetle, goldspotted oak borer (GSOB), has been found in the mountain community of Sugarloaf near Big Bear in San Bernardino County, reported the Chino Champion. The detection causes concern for other nearby communities where oak trees are prized.
All stages of the insect - larval, pupal and adult - were found underneath bark in dying black oak trees on private property. GSOB is a native of Guatemala, southern Mexico and southeastern Arizona. It was first collected in San Diego County in 2004. To limit the pest's spread, officials ask Californians not to transport firewood from one location to...
- Author: Pamela Kan-Rice
Palm Springs area dog owners on high alert after coyote attack on pet. Here's what you should do
(Desert Sun) Ricardo Lopez, Aug. 30
…But coyotes are adaptable scavenger predators who often find suburban environments especially hospitable because of an ample food supply: rodents, cats and fruit trees. Dense shrubs are great for providing coyotes shelter and hiding spots, according to research by the University of California Cooperative Extension.
…Researchers say some coyotes have grown accustomed to people, associating them with food and protection. Coyotes at times have become aggressive...
