- Author: Pamela S Kan-Rice
The 2024 California Plant and Soil Conference will be held Feb. 6-7 at the DoubleTree Hotel in Fresno. The conference is organized by the California Chapter of the American Society of Agronomy and UC Cooperative Extension.
This year's conference will cover the following topics:
- Are we ready? Adapting agronomy to an uncertain future
- Precision agriculture
- Nutrient management
- Micronutrients
- Animal-plant systems management
- Soil management
- California IPM toolbox
- Pesticide resistance
- Bees, pollinators
- Groundwater recharge
- On-farm water management
“The diverse topics covered at the annual California Plant and Soil Conference are determined by polling members each year about what information is most important for them to learn about regarding sustainable agricultural production in California,” said Nicholas Clark, conference organizer and UC Cooperative Extension farm advisor, who specializes in agronomy and nutrient management.
Growers, pest control advisers and crop consultants, allied ag industry professionals, academics, and government agency staff attend this accessible, science-based conference each year to stay up-to-date on major issues in California agriculture and their potential solutions. In addition to networking opportunities, the conference offers continuing education credits for growers and other ag professionals seeking to maintain various licenses.
“Another really cool thing about this conference is that the chapter has a strong career development component to it,” said Clark. “We support students through financial assistance to attend as poster presenters, and we give monetary awards to student poster contest winners judged by members of the CA ASA board and industry professionals. We also have a merit-based scholarship award given to students each year for their contributions to and potential in the agricultural industry and science fields. These awards are largely supported by private sponsors and member dues.”
The annual conference provides an opportunity for all attendees to increase their knowledge of current topics of agronomic importance in California. By attending the conference, certified crop advisers and pest control advisers can earn continuing education units that are important to their professional standing.
The agenda for the conference includes several new items this year:
- Two additional sessions with six speakers will be offered on the afternoon of Feb. 7 after the business lunch.
- A student-mentor breakfast meeting will be held the morning of Feb. 7 with round-table discussions to hear about mentors' experiences and career paths in agricultural science fields, providing a chance to network and broaden perspectives.
In addition to presentations, there will be an award ceremony to honor individuals who served the profession through their careers, a student poster competition, non-competitive professional posters, and the CA ASA business meeting. Sponsorship opportunities are available to support student participation. For more information, please see the conference website at https://na.eventscloud.com/website/58588/sponsors.
Registration is $375. Early bird registration is $325 and ends Jan. 12. Registration on site will be $425. Register through the conference website: https://na.eventscloud.com/plantandsoilconference.
The conference is planned and presented by a team of volunteer professional agronomists from research institutions, UC Cooperative Extension, public agencies and private companies. If you are interested in serving on the board or have questions about the conference, please contact a current board member (https://na.eventscloud.com/website/58588/leadership).
The California Chapter of the American Society of Agronomy was founded in April 1971 by a group of California agronomists who recognized the value in creating a forum to focus on California agriculture. The purpose of the annual meeting is to promote research, disseminate scientific information, foster high standards of educational and ethical conduct in the profession, and facilitate robust cooperation among organizations with similar missions.
- Author: Konrad Mathesius
Summary Review
Results from this year's Italian ryegrass (IR) herbicide trials helped quantify differences in herbicide resistance among IR populations within the southern Sacramento Valley. The trial took place in Bird's Landing, CA (near Rio Vista), and was replicated farther north in Esparto, CA.
- Trials from this year suggest that Osprey-resistant IR populations often associated with the area around Dixon, CA could extend at least as far south as Bird's Landing with only 26% control of IR by Osprey in the trial site.
- The Osprey-resistant population appears to also be moderately resistant to Simplicity, another herbicide in the same chemical family, which only provided 60% control at the Bird's Landing site.
- Axial (an ACCase inhibitor) worked well at controlling IR in Bird's Landing (92% control).
- In Esparto, IR in the trial was somewhat more susceptible to ALS inhibitors. IR control was only around 80% with Simplicity.
Introduction
For a few years I've heard PCAs mention that Italian ryegrass (IR) populations around Dixon are showing resistance to Osprey (an ALS inhibitor herbicide), but quantification of differences in weed control can help provide a better understanding of what growers are dealing with. IR is notorious for its capacity to develop herbicide resistance to multiple modes of action (MoA). As an obligate outcrossing plant, IR must cross-pollinate in order to produce viable seed. This means that genetic material is regularly exchanged during pollination, which allows populations to respond to environmental pressure. Development of herbicide resistance in IR over the years has caused increasing concern for small grain growers, who are limited in their options for control.
This study is part of a wider range of studies examining different options available to growers for IR control in small grains. This study quantifies the efficacy of various available herbicides on IR populations in small grains both in the northern parts of Yolo County and the southern parts of Solano County.
Methods
Two trials were set up: one in Bird's Landing and one in Esparto. Each plot was 15 x 100 feet and was replicated 4 times at each location. Plots were planted with wheat in late December 2022 after a burndown treatment and were treated in January of 2023 using the maximum label rate of each herbicide along with recommended adjuvants (Table 1). A 20ft x 15ft section of each plot was left unsprayed as an untreated reference. Axial was unintentionally applied at half label rate in Esparto.
Prowl was tested to see if it might improve control by by providing residual control of late germinating ryegrass that escaped preseason control efforts but did not germinate with the first fall rains. IR control was not significantly better in the Prowl tankmix vs Simplicity applied alone in this experiment.
Treatments and Rates Evaluated for Italian ryegrass Control in Two Wheat Sites in 2023 in the Sacramento Valley.
Weed counts were taken in late February in each plot (3 sub-samples). The untreated reference sections within each plot were measured once (1 representative sub-sample). Percent weed control was measured by the difference in ryegrass density within the treated and untreated areas in each plot.
Grain was hand harvested in late July using 3 x 4ft^2 quadrats in each plot. Spikes were collected by cutting the stem at the base of the spike using a sickle. Samples were then air dried. Grain yield was determined by subtracting an estimated chaff weight of 17% from the weight of the harvested spikes (McCartney et. al, 2006).
Results and Discussion
Percent control
Within each location, herbicides varied significantly in terms of the capacity to control IR.
In Bird's Landing (20 miles south of Dixon, CA), Axial provided significantly better IR control than Simplicity, Prowl + Simplicity, and Osprey. Osprey did not reduce IR populations compared to the non-treated control plots. (Figure 2)
In Esparto, a tank mix of Prowl + Simplicity provided better control of IR than Osprey but was not different than Simplicity alone (p = 0.52) or the tank mix of Axial + Simplicity (p = 0.81). Osprey provided only moderate control (58%) and was marginally different from Simplicity (p = 0.084), which provided 79% control.
The differences in control between the two ALS-inhibitor herbicides (Simplicity and Osprey) at the two locations are an indication of the variation among IR populations that are only 50 miles apart.
Yield
Yield results collected from the Bird's Landing site show trends that generally correspond with differences in weed control, although no significant differences in estimated yield were found due to the variability of the data.
Conclusion
Variations in herbicide efficacy are a good reminder that there is a lot of genetic variability in IR populations; even fields only a few miles apart could have important differences in response to herbicides. This means that grower practices can directly impact the development of herbicide resistance in their area. Growers in the Dixon area should incorporate IPM practices listed above and consider the use of Axial as an alternative weed control if they haven't already, and growers farther north should remain particularly vigilant about preserving the efficacy of their ALS inhibitor herbicides by integrating some of the IPM practices listed below.
- Using certified seed (to prevent weed seeds from hitching a ride to entirely different areas of the state)
- Thoroughly cleaning equipment, or operating equipment only within local areas to prevent the spread of weed seed to other parts of the state
- Rotating herbicides within the season and from one season to the next, where possible
- Spraying at the right time (check labels, apply on the early end of the spray window)
- Spraying the right rate (Axial applications in Esparto were sprayed unintentionally at half-rate and provided no control).
- Spraying when weeds are actively growing
- Planting wheat at the right density
- Incorporating mechanical cultivation or Harvest Weed Seed Control where possible
- Checking and calibrating spray nozzles
- Incorporate the use of pre-emergent herbicides labeled in California
- Rotating crops where possible to diversify herbicide programs
- Check for escapes and monitor fields for efficacy
Growers are also encouraged to take advantage of UC IPM resources online, and in-person through their local farm advisors.
References
McCartney, D.H.; Block, H.C.; Dubeski, P.L.; Ohama, A.J. Review: The composition and availability of straw and cha? from small grain cereals for beef cattle in western Canada. Can. J. Anim. Sci. 2006,86, 443–455.
- Author: Ryan Hill
My name is Ryan Hill, and I am the new UC Cooperative Extension Weed Science and Agronomy Advisor in Tehama County, also serving Shasta and Glenn counties. I received a B.S. in Biology from George Fox University in 2014 and an M.S. in Plant Breeding and Genetics from the Department of Horticulture at Oregon State University in 2020. From 2020 to 2023 I was a Faculty Research Assistant in Dr. Marcelo Moretti's perennial weed science lab at OSU. In this role I conducted weed research in horticultural crops including several projects on herbicide-induced crop injury. Additional projects included electrical weed control of Italian ryegrass, sucker control in hops and hazelnuts, pollinator habitat establishment with pre-emergent herbicides, and many others.
As a UCCE advisor I intend to pursue projects related to weed control in rangeland, irrigated pasture, orchards, small grains, and forage crops. I will also be providing broad support to agronomic crop production in the counties I serve. My current priority is to identify research and extension targets by meeting with growers, PCAs, UC researchers, and industry representatives. I am looking forward to working with the community to promote agricultural productivity and sustainability over the years to come.
- Author: Giuliano Carneiro Galdi
- Posted by: Gale Perez
I'm back in the San Joaquin Valley after spending four years of my early career as the UCCE Agronomy and Crops Advisor in Siskiyou County. My previous research and extension program in Siskiyou county was focused on alfalfa, pasture, small grains, pest control, and water management. I worked on projects such as cool-season perennial grass deficit irrigation, dryland small grain and alfalfa variety trials, winter groundwater recharge, Roundup Ready alfalfa injury, and soil moisture sensing.
My first goal in this new position is to understand the needs of my local clientele and tailor my research program accordingly. My ultimate objectives are to be a source of science-based information, guarantee sustainable and long-lasting agriculture, and help to protect natural resources. Collaborating with growers, PCAs, and industry partners is key to a successful research program, so I look forward to meeting my clientele and integrating with the counties' community.
Giuliano Galdi
Agronomy and Weed Management Advisor
UC Cooperative Extension Merced, Stanislaus, and San Joaquin counties
Original source: UC ANR San Joaquin County Field Notes newsletter ι August 2023
- Posted by: Gale Perez
Location: This position will be headquartered in the UCCE Siskiyou County office in Yreka, CA.
Closing date: August 31, 2023
Job Description: https://ucanr.edu/About/Jobs/?jobnum=2580
UC ANR is hiring an Agronomy Advisor located at UCCE Siskiyou, in Yreka, CA. For more information and how to apply, follow the link: https://ucanr.edu/About/Jobs/?jobnum=25800
The Cooperative Extension (CE) advisor for agronomy will conduct an extension, education and applied research program focusing on aspects of crop production and cropping systems. The CE advisor will develop and extend information that optimizes crop production and pest management technologies, while maximizing net farm income, conserving natural resources, and safeguarding the environment. The Agronomy Advisor also provides leadership in the development of forage cropping systems research in the intermountain sub-region.
Primary crops include alfalfa, small grains, grass hay, irrigated pasture, and specialty crops grown in the region. The general focus of the agronomic work will be on one or more of the following: soil fertility and plant nutrition, irrigation management and efficiency, improved varieties, pest management (weeds, insects, and disease), and economics. Key clientele includes forage crop producers, certified pest control and crop advisors, and state and federal agricultural and resource agencies.
Extension education activities include the dissemination of science-based research results and educational information using a variety of methods, including individual consultations, presentations at grower and industry meetings, workshops, short courses, and field demonstrations. Dissemination methods further include publications and newsletters in UC ANR and peer-reviewed journals, technical reports to commodity boards/funding agencies, and use of contemporary and emerging electronic tools (such as online learning, web content systems and repositories, social media, impact and evaluation tools), along with specialized and public media outlets.
The CE advisor will develop and implement an applied research program to provide science-based solutions and addressing complex issues. The applied research program will be based upon a needs assessment and may include partnerships with a variety of campus and county-based colleagues. Field research activities will be conducted primarily on private farms and ranches. Research collaboration with the Intermountain Research and Extension Center nearby Tulelake, CA is strongly encouraged and supported. The CE advisor is expected to work collaboratively with CE specialists, UCCE staff, and other CE advisors. There are numerous opportunities for extension and research partnerships with a variety of stakeholders and partners, including industry groups, growers, public and governmental agencies such as: Siskiyou County Farm Bureau, California Alfalfa and Forage Association, National Alfalfa and Forage Alliance, California Wheat Commission, and United States Department of Agriculture Natural Resources Conservation Service.
A minimum of a Master's degree in disciplines such as plant science, agronomy, pest management, crop production, or other closely related field is required by the appointment start date. The candidate must possess or obtain a Qualified Pesticide Applicator Certificate (QAC) or License (QAL) within one year. In addition the candidate should have a passion and desire to pursue a career in Cooperative Extension.
For a complete position description, visit https://ucanr.edu/About/Jobs/?jobnum=2580.
To assure full consideration, application packets must be received by August 31, 2023 (open until filled).
Questions: contact Tatiana Avoce (tavoce@ucanr.edu.)