Ongoing research

Last month I contributed a small article for Rice Farming Magazine. I used data generated by the UC Weed Project to illustrate the point of how difficult, complicated and expensive weed control can be once herbicide-resistant weeds are established in a field.

In this issue ...

Many orchards in California are planted on slopes, the most extreme examples are usually avocado orchards with some slopes exceeding 50%. They pose difficulties in harvesting because of the steepness, but also in their irrigation.

At first glance, it appeared to be a gnat circling our head. Then it landed on our passionflower vine (Passiflora). It cooperatively stayed still for a photo (taken with a Nikon D800 mounted with a 105mm macro lens) and then returned to its nest, a hole in the ground.

We live in a world where the importance of spatial data is ever increasing.

What an honor! And so deserving. He's an entomologist, trained to find ways to control insect pests, but now he aims to help humans with medical issues, including diabetes, high blood pressure and depression.

Healthy red apple ice plant, Aptenia cordifolia.

Good news: The first day of spring. Bad news: The future of the Eastern, migratory population of the monarch butterflies. Research published today in Scientific Reports indicates there's a "quasi-extinction risk" for the Eastern, migratory population of monarch butterflies (Danaus plexippus).

I received notification recently that Rely 280 can now be used in California without growers being required to use a closed mixing and loading system. According to manufacturer representatives, a revised label has been approved by the California Department of Pesticide Regulation and the US-EPA.

Drought Induced Problems in Our Orchards Abiotic disorders are plant problems that are non-infective. They are not caused by an organism, but through their damage, they may bring on damage caused by organisms. Think of a tree hit by lightning or a tractor.