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Maximum grain yields are attained only by uniform sorghum stands that allow uniform flowering and ripening. Inadequate stands resulting from low seeding or other causes produce secondary tillers from buds near the base of the plant; secondary tillers mature later than the main head, delaying harvest. Stands that are too heavy can result in lower yields, small kernels, and increased lodging.

California now has only a few hundred acres of Asian pears in commercial orchards. Demand for these crisp, juicy pears has increased in recent years, and planting the best commercial varieties should result in further increases.

Denitrification is the biological reduction of nitrate and nitrite to volatile gases, usually nitrous oxide or molecular nitrogen, or both. Denitrification is accomplished by bacteria capable of using nitrate in place of oxygen. Under aerobic conditions the bacteria oxidize carbohydrates to carbon dioxide and water. In the absence of oxygen these bacteria oxidize carbohydrates in nitrate respiration, yielding carbon dioxide, water, and the volatile gases, nitrous oxide and molecular nitrogen.

The basic cause of famines has been social mores and economically induced, unequal food distribution, according to speakers at a seminar series on protein.

Almond hull rot, caused by two genera of fungi, can result in severe dieback on vigorous, productive trees. Research is under way to find effective measures for controlling the disease.

As much as half of the wear on fabrics during use may occur in laundering. Consequently, it is important to control the laundry process so that good appearance and adequate soil removal are balanced with minimum abrasive damage. Abrasion may occur both in washing and in drying, and studies have shown that water quality, detergent type, and drying conditions are important variables affecting the amount of damage. Figure 1 shows varying amounts of abrasion that can occur along a fabric crease after repeated Iaunderings.