Agriculture

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frost damage
Topics in Subtropics: Article

My Frost Protection Spray Trials

October 30, 2024
By Ben A Faber
The use of foliar nutrients as frost protectants has been promoted for years. Research published by Steve Lindow at UC Berkeley explained that certain naturally occurring bacteria ,such as Pseudomonas syringae and Erwinia herbicola act as nucleating agents for ice formation.
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From left to right: (top) Joanna Solins, Eric Middleton, Grant Johnson, (middle) Loren Oki, Aparna Gazula, Johanna del Castillo, Bruno Pitton, Dylan Beal, (bottom) Jessie Godfrey, Don Merhaut, Gerry Spinelli, and Chris Shogren. All photos by Saoimanu Sope.
ANR Employee News: Article

Floriculture and Nursery Workgroup members share knowledge in Watsonville

October 29, 2024
By Saoimanu Sope
In mid-October, the University of California Nursery and Floriculture Alliance (UCNFA) hosted their annual California Nursery Conference in Watsonville, an opportunity to share research, discuss challenges impacting nurseries and greenhouses, and network with industry leaders.
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thermometer
Topics in Subtropics: Article

Frost Terminology

October 28, 2024
By Ben A Faber
A Frost Primer Definitions: Dry-bulb temperature: the temperature of the air as measured with a thermometer. Wet-bulb temperature: the temperature that the tree will likely sense due to evaporative cooling of the leaves.
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Students pose with their advisor next to the agricultural robot they designed
Food Blog: Article

Students design high-tech solutions through Farm Robotics Challenge

October 25, 2024
By Michael Hsu
A robot that navigates and weeds row-crop fields and its design team from Olin College of Engineering in Massachusetts have garnered the grand prize in the second annual Farm Robotics Challenge. Five winning teams, representing various universities and colleges across the U.S.
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avocado pruning stub 1
Topics in Subtropics: Article

Now is NOT the Time to Prune Avocados

October 25, 2024
By Ben A Faber
When to Prune Avocados and Suggestions of How to Prune In the past avocados were rarely pruned. In fact, if the trees got very big, growers would stump them down to 3-4 feet and then let them regrow. This would often be a disaster, since the trees rapidly grew to stupendous sizes again.
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Image of a carved pumpkin which is rotting and squishy.
UC ANR Climate Corner: Article

The Scary Truth About Halloween Pumpkins

October 24, 2024
By Jill Santos
Happy Halloween! It is the time of year for Jack O' Lanterns, trick or treating, spooky decorations and funny costumes. This season is rich in diverse traditions including those of All Saints Day, Dia de los Muertos, and of course, Halloween. But Halloween has an even scarier tale seldom told.
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