- Author: Brooke Jacobs
Our second annual pomology extension course, Principles of Fruit and Nut Tree Growth, Cropping and Management, is underway at UC Davis. New and experienced growers working with all of the common fruit and nut crops grown in California are attending. In the first three days we have had a chance to learn about tree growth, pruning, pollination, root growth, irrigation and tree water use from a team of UC experts.
We spent Monday and Tuesday mornings in lecture learning about tree growth, bearing habits, chilling, dormancy, flower anatomy and pollination. On the first two afternoons our lead instructor, Professor DeJong (Plant Sciences Department, UC Davis) teamed up with Kevin Day (Farm Advisor in Tulare County and stone fruit expert) to teach pruning and root growth in the field.
On Wednesday Professor Shackel (Plant Sciences Department, UC Davis) gave us a thorough introduction to tree water use and irrigation with lectures and practical worksheets. In the afternoon everyone had the chance to learn how to measure plant water stress using a “pump-up” pressure bomb developed by Professor Shackel.
Hands on pruning demonstration and root excavation at the UC Davis teaching orchard:
Measuring plant water stress using a pressure bomb: