- Author: Cris L. Johnson
Here attendees will be able to visit stations staffed by UCCE experts who will speak on a variety of topics of interest to growers and horticulturists. The structure is informal and will allow for easy interchange between speakers and attendees.
Each station will feature informational talks on the following subjects:
- Effect of compost on long term disease control and fertility of soils in peppers
- Cultural management of Prime Ark 45 Blackberry
- Differential plant response of salts in summer strawberry
- Subtropical fruit collection
- Herbicide efficacy and safety in drip-irrigated celery
- Water quality and sensors
- Effect of pruning in landscape roses
Continous education credits from the Department of Pesticide Regulation and VCAILG credits have been requested.
The agenda with more details about the event can be found here.
For more information about the UC Hansen Agricultural Center, please click here.
- Author: Cris L. Johnson
The meeting focused on updating growers and interested members of the public on subjects relevant to producing strawberries in Ventura County and other areas. The agenda included topics on:
- Strawberry cultivar performance and research updates
- Management of Macrophomina and Fusarium and treatments
- Irrigation practices for strawberries in Oxnard and Watsonville
- Water quality monitoring results for strawberry production fields in Ventura County
- Fertility research updates
- Management of mites, thrips, corn earworm and spotted wing Drosophila
- California Strawberry Commission update on research and regulatory issues pertaining to strawberry production
The production meeting included lunch and attendees could receive continous education credits from the Department of Pesticide Regulation.
For a list of this and other strawberry meeting presentations online, please click here.
- Author: Chris M. Webb
Strawberry production growers face many challenges. One such challenge is strawberry anthracnose, which is caused by Colletotrichum acutatum. This plant pathogen is often undetectable on transplants purchased from nurseries for the planting season, but can become very destructive after transplanted into the field.
UCCE’s Oleg Daugovish and collaborators researched this disease and how to best reduce risk and loss. The researchers studied irrigation systems effects on fruit yields, canopy size, and crown tissue infection to determine best management practices.
Their research has recently been published in the American Society for Horticultural Science Journal. You may view the abstract at this site. The full text may also be viewed by following a link on the abstract page. The full article may also be viewed in the UC Cooperative Extension, Ventura County office.
- Author: Chris M. Webb
Written by a team of authors, including UCCE Ventura County’s Oleg Daugovish the recently published Organic Strawberry Production Manual is full of fantastic information.
In 2009 organic strawberry sales in California totaled $55 million, up substantially from $2 million in 1997. Organic production is projected to continue to increase, and this detailed how-to guide will help those working with the organic production of strawberries.
This publication is designed for commercial growers, pest control advisors, consultants, marketers, industry professionals and other interested in the organic growing and certification process.
Topics include:
- Selecting plant varieties
- Managing crops
- Identifying and managing pests and diseases
- Making the switch from conventional to organic growing
- Pursuing organic certification
- And much more
To learn more, please visit this page of the UC ANR Catalog. To receive 10% off your online order, please use promo code, PRVEN56. In addition to your discount, a portion of the sale will help support local programs.
- Author: Chris M. Webb
California farms produce 93% of the celery grown in the United States. The crop thrives in coastal California’s moderate climate. Celery is an important crop in Ventura County with 40% of the state’s acreage farmed here. Valued at over $182 million, it was the second most profitable crop for Ventura County agricultural producers in 2010, which are the most recent statistics available.
Most celery in the field is planted as transplants. Transplants are typically grown under high humidity and high plant density conditions and are subject to seedborne pathogens. The most significant being Septoria apiicola (the causal agent of Septoria late blight) and Pseudomonas syringae pv. apii (the causal agent of bacterial blight). These diseases can be carried from the transplants into the field. As the plants mature, these diseases can cause plants to become unmarketable at a great loss to the growers.
UCCE’s Oleg Daugovish and collaborators researched these pathogens and how to best reduce disease and loss in the field. Over four years, the researchers documented that: seed, seedlings, weeds located in or near fields that harbor the virus can cause the disease in celery. This disease is likely transmitted by aphids, vectoring the virus.
The studies provided practices growers can use to manage this disease. Findings indicated that growers can control the pathogens by managing poison hemlock weed populations, controlling aphids, and planting celery cultivars that are not susceptible to the pathogens.
The interpretive and technical summaries of the research report can be viewed on this page of the USDA’s Agricultural Research Service. The full text can be accessed through the American Phytopathological Society, or at the UCCE office in Ventura County.