Calag Archive

Eggs and larvae of fruit flies are destroyed by vapor-heat sterilization but the treated fruit may be injured. The kind and amount of injury depend on the tolerance of the fruit to saturated atmospheres at llOF and 120F for specified lengths of time.

Use of chelating agents—especially the new compound Fe 138—to correct iron chlorosis by effectively supplying iron to plants has proved promising in a series of experiments.

A lightweight catching frame helps protect fruit quality from harvest damage because—by keeping the fruit off the ground—it minimizes skin damage and imbedded dirt.

The cyclamen mite—Tarsonemus pallidus—is a dreaded pest to both the strawberry grower and the nurseryman.

The Egyptian alfalfa weevil—Hypera brunneipennis (Boh.)—is causing economic losses in localized areas in Imperial and San Diego counties. Because it is damaging to crops in hot dry areas as well as in relatively cool, coastal localities, this pest poses a threat to all the alfalfa-and clover-producing districts in the state.

Alfalfa protein is relatively low in the sulfur-containing amino acids, and the alfalfa's nutritive value may thereby be limited. This has been indicated at several laboratories in biological assays—feeding tests with small animals. Increasing the sulfur content of alfalfa, therefore, may improve its value as a feed.

Approach to the problem of tentiform leaf miner control was changed during the 1954 season—from that of previous seasons—in the continuing studies in the Auburn area.

Chlorobenzilate—ethyl p, p'-dichlorobenzilate—offers certain advantages in citrus pest control: it has a very low toxicity to warm-blooded animals which places it in the same category as Ovotran and Aramite; its application does not seriously affect insect parasites and predators or bees.

The following article is a report of progress in a long term field study conducted by the University of California. The laboratories of the California Department of Agriculture cooperated with counsel and by making determinations of disease conditions during these trials. Farm Advisors W. F. Rooney, Tulare County, Ralph Pfost, Fresno County, W. W. Mitchell, Sacramento County, and Dr. M. A. Nilson, acting extension poultry pathologist, helped plan and conduct the trials.