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Calag Archive

California Agriculture, Vol. 72, No.3

Cover: 

Pistachio cluster on tree, Colusa County (see article). Photo by Evett Kilmartin.

Matteo Garbelotto introduces the California Agriculture issue on phytophthora contamination of ecological restoration sites.

July-September 2018
Volume 72, Number 3

Peer-reviewed research and review articles

Streamflow availability ratings identify surface water sources for groundwater recharge in the Central Valley
by Helen E. Dahlke, Tiffany N. Kocis
| Full text HTML  | PDF  
The STARR web tool estimates how much and when surplus surface water occurs in each watershed in the three Central Valley basins to help water planners expand groundwater banking.
In California's semi-arid climate, replenishment of groundwater aquifers relies on precipitation and runoff during the winter season. However, climate projections suggest more frequent droughts and fewer years with above-normal precipitation, which may increase demand on groundwater resources and the need to recharge groundwater basins. Using historical daily streamflow data, we developed a spatial index and rating system of high-magnitude streamflow availability for groundwater recharge, STARR, in the Central Valley. We found that watersheds with excellent and good availability of excess surface water are primarily in the Sacramento River Basin and northern San Joaquin Valley. STARR is available as a web tool and can guide water managers on where and when excess surface water is available and, with other web tools, help sustainable groundwater agencies develop plans to balance water demand and aquifer recharge. However, infrastructure is needed to transport the water, and also changes to the current legal restrictions on use of such water.
Survey of the pathogen of Alternaria late blight reveals different levels of carboxamide fungicide resistance in the main pistachio producing regions of California
by Paulo Lichtemberg, Ryan Puckett, Daniel Felts, Yong Luo, Lorene Doster, David Rodriguez, Themis Michailides
| Full text HTML  | PDF  
Resistance was greatest in counties at the northern and southern ends of the Central Valley, where weather conditions are conducive to pathogen infection.
Alternaria late blight (ALB), caused mainly by the fungal pathogen Alternaria alternata, is an important pistachio disease that causes severe tree defoliation and fruit shell staining. Its control relies on multiple fungicide sprays, including carboxamide fungicides. In 2015, we surveyed 35 orchards representing nine pistachio producing counties of California to determine the current situation of Alternaria resistance to four widely used carboxamide fungicide active ingredients. This survey showed that isolates collected in the northern (Tehama, Glenn and Colusa counties) and southern (Tulare, Kings and Kern counties) Central Valley presented higher frequencies of carboxamide resistance than isolates collected from orchards in the central region (Fresno, Madera and Merced counties). The number of carboxamide usages in a year is the main factor determining elevated resistance. By extracting the A. alternata DNA and sequencing the carboxamide target genes, we evaluated the prevalence of specific molecular alterations (mutations) associated with carboxamide fungicide resistance. Finally, we identified cross-resistance patterns among different carboxamide fungicides, leading to recommendations about combinations to avoid.
Modeled soil erosion potential is low across California's annual rangelands
by Wilson B. Salls, Royce E. Larsen, David J. Lewis, Leslie M. Roche, Danny J. Eastburn, Allan D. Hollander, Mike Walkinshaw, Stephen R. Kaffka, Kenneth W. Tate, Anthony T. O'Geen
| Full text HTML  | PDF  
The authors used the Revised Universal Soil Loss Equation computer model to evaluate how high, medium and low levels of residual forage dry matter affect soil erosion potential across California rangelands.
We used the Revised Universal Soil Loss Equation (RUSLE) to evaluate how different residual forage dry matter (RDM) levels affect erosion potential in rangelands across California. The model was adapted to operate in a geographic information system (GIS) to model 14.8 million acres (6.0 million hectares) of land. Average erosion potential was low among all RDM scenarios and increased from an estimated 0.05 ton per acre per year (0.11 megagram per hectare per year) with the high RDM scenario to 0.12 ton per acre per year (0.27 megagram per hectare per year) with the low RDM scenario. Considering all RDM scenarios, fewer than 174,733 acres (70,710 hectares, or 1.2% of land) had erosion potential that exceeded soil loss tolerance values. Although achieving a uniform RDM target across a landscape may be an oversimplification of reality, simulations suggest that erosion potential on average is low in California's annual rangelands across high, moderate and low RDM recommendations. Moreover, our findings indicate that grazing management (maintaining moderate or high RDM) to mitigate erosion can be effective when targeted at areas of high vulnerability.

News and opinion

RESEARCH NEWS
Proactive biological control: A cost-effective management option for invasive pests
by Mark S. Hoddle, Kevi Mace, John Steggall
Full text HTML  | PDF  

Proactive biocontrol could accelerate responses to invasive pests in urban areas — where pesticide use may be unpopular — before they spread to agricultural areas.

OUTLOOK
Groundwater sustainability in the San Joaquin Valley: Multiple benefits if agricultural lands are retired and restored strategically
by Rodd Kelsey, Abby Hart, H. Scott Butterfield, Dan Vink
Full text HTML  | PDF  

Restoring habitat in retired farmland could reduce water demand and provide ecosystem services for farmers and local communities.

OUTLOOK
Possible impacts of rising CO2 on crop water use efficiency and food security
by Alexander J. Scavo, Morgana Sidhom, Felipe J. Rangel, Alexandre Miaule, Christine Emuka, Nusra Poomchongko, Suwayda Ali, Wouter-Jan Rappel, Julian I. Schroeder
Full text HTML  | PDF  

Understanding the mechanisms involved in plants' response to rising COlevels may lead to the development of crop plant varieties better adapted to future drought conditions.

RESEARCH NEWS
Research highlights
by Jim Downing, Lucien Crowder
Full text HTML  | PDF  

Briefs on recent articles on grafted tomatoes, avocado ripening, fresh produce in low-income neighborhoods, a dystopic novel and more.

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California Agriculture, Vol. 72, No.3

Cover: 

Pistachio cluster on tree, Colusa County (see article). Photo by Evett Kilmartin.

Matteo Garbelotto introduces the California Agriculture issue on phytophthora contamination of ecological restoration sites.

July-September 2018
Volume 72, Number 3

Peer-reviewed research and review articles

Streamflow availability ratings identify surface water sources for groundwater recharge in the Central Valley
by Helen E. Dahlke, Tiffany N. Kocis
| Full text HTML  | PDF  
The STARR web tool estimates how much and when surplus surface water occurs in each watershed in the three Central Valley basins to help water planners expand groundwater banking.
In California's semi-arid climate, replenishment of groundwater aquifers relies on precipitation and runoff during the winter season. However, climate projections suggest more frequent droughts and fewer years with above-normal precipitation, which may increase demand on groundwater resources and the need to recharge groundwater basins. Using historical daily streamflow data, we developed a spatial index and rating system of high-magnitude streamflow availability for groundwater recharge, STARR, in the Central Valley. We found that watersheds with excellent and good availability of excess surface water are primarily in the Sacramento River Basin and northern San Joaquin Valley. STARR is available as a web tool and can guide water managers on where and when excess surface water is available and, with other web tools, help sustainable groundwater agencies develop plans to balance water demand and aquifer recharge. However, infrastructure is needed to transport the water, and also changes to the current legal restrictions on use of such water.
Survey of the pathogen of Alternaria late blight reveals different levels of carboxamide fungicide resistance in the main pistachio producing regions of California
by Paulo Lichtemberg, Ryan Puckett, Daniel Felts, Yong Luo, Lorene Doster, David Rodriguez, Themis Michailides
| Full text HTML  | PDF  
Resistance was greatest in counties at the northern and southern ends of the Central Valley, where weather conditions are conducive to pathogen infection.
Alternaria late blight (ALB), caused mainly by the fungal pathogen Alternaria alternata, is an important pistachio disease that causes severe tree defoliation and fruit shell staining. Its control relies on multiple fungicide sprays, including carboxamide fungicides. In 2015, we surveyed 35 orchards representing nine pistachio producing counties of California to determine the current situation of Alternaria resistance to four widely used carboxamide fungicide active ingredients. This survey showed that isolates collected in the northern (Tehama, Glenn and Colusa counties) and southern (Tulare, Kings and Kern counties) Central Valley presented higher frequencies of carboxamide resistance than isolates collected from orchards in the central region (Fresno, Madera and Merced counties). The number of carboxamide usages in a year is the main factor determining elevated resistance. By extracting the A. alternata DNA and sequencing the carboxamide target genes, we evaluated the prevalence of specific molecular alterations (mutations) associated with carboxamide fungicide resistance. Finally, we identified cross-resistance patterns among different carboxamide fungicides, leading to recommendations about combinations to avoid.
Modeled soil erosion potential is low across California's annual rangelands
by Wilson B. Salls, Royce E. Larsen, David J. Lewis, Leslie M. Roche, Danny J. Eastburn, Allan D. Hollander, Mike Walkinshaw, Stephen R. Kaffka, Kenneth W. Tate, Anthony T. O'Geen
| Full text HTML  | PDF  
The authors used the Revised Universal Soil Loss Equation computer model to evaluate how high, medium and low levels of residual forage dry matter affect soil erosion potential across California rangelands.
We used the Revised Universal Soil Loss Equation (RUSLE) to evaluate how different residual forage dry matter (RDM) levels affect erosion potential in rangelands across California. The model was adapted to operate in a geographic information system (GIS) to model 14.8 million acres (6.0 million hectares) of land. Average erosion potential was low among all RDM scenarios and increased from an estimated 0.05 ton per acre per year (0.11 megagram per hectare per year) with the high RDM scenario to 0.12 ton per acre per year (0.27 megagram per hectare per year) with the low RDM scenario. Considering all RDM scenarios, fewer than 174,733 acres (70,710 hectares, or 1.2% of land) had erosion potential that exceeded soil loss tolerance values. Although achieving a uniform RDM target across a landscape may be an oversimplification of reality, simulations suggest that erosion potential on average is low in California's annual rangelands across high, moderate and low RDM recommendations. Moreover, our findings indicate that grazing management (maintaining moderate or high RDM) to mitigate erosion can be effective when targeted at areas of high vulnerability.

News and opinion

RESEARCH NEWS
Proactive biological control: A cost-effective management option for invasive pests
by Mark S. Hoddle, Kevi Mace, John Steggall
Full text HTML  | PDF  

Proactive biocontrol could accelerate responses to invasive pests in urban areas — where pesticide use may be unpopular — before they spread to agricultural areas.

OUTLOOK
Groundwater sustainability in the San Joaquin Valley: Multiple benefits if agricultural lands are retired and restored strategically
by Rodd Kelsey, Abby Hart, H. Scott Butterfield, Dan Vink
Full text HTML  | PDF  

Restoring habitat in retired farmland could reduce water demand and provide ecosystem services for farmers and local communities.

OUTLOOK
Possible impacts of rising CO2 on crop water use efficiency and food security
by Alexander J. Scavo, Morgana Sidhom, Felipe J. Rangel, Alexandre Miaule, Christine Emuka, Nusra Poomchongko, Suwayda Ali, Wouter-Jan Rappel, Julian I. Schroeder
Full text HTML  | PDF  

Understanding the mechanisms involved in plants' response to rising COlevels may lead to the development of crop plant varieties better adapted to future drought conditions.

RESEARCH NEWS
Research highlights
by Jim Downing, Lucien Crowder
Full text HTML  | PDF  

Briefs on recent articles on grafted tomatoes, avocado ripening, fresh produce in low-income neighborhoods, a dystopic novel and more.


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