Forests

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The green foliage of a small sycamore tree coated with fluffly, white patches of powdery mildew fungus.
Pests in the Urban Landscape: Article

What's That Powdery Stuff on My Plants?

March 5, 2026
By Belinda Messenger-Sikes
Have you seen white powdery-looking patches appearing on the leaves of your roses or sycamore trees? While home gardeners may be familiar with this sign of the plant disease powdery mildew on their veggies, ornamental plants and landscape trees can also be infected. In addition to those powdery spots, the…
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Water Is K’é: using tradition to build healthier hydration habits

March 2, 2026
Can reconnecting with one’s traditional culture be an important key to healthy habits? A recent community-based study evaluated the impact of a culturally-grounded intervention designed to improve beverage consumption habits among young Navajo children. Between 2021 and 2023, 74 families participated in…
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dry brush in front opens to landscape of hills covered by trees and rangelands. A lake is in the valley in the distance
UCCE Central Sierra: Article

Central Sierra: UCCE Researchers Bring Virtual Fence Technology to Local BLM Lands

February 25, 2026
By Scott R Oneto, Brian J Allen
Emerging Precision Agriculture Tool Improves Grazing Systems  For the past four years, UC researchers have been examining the usefulness of virtual fence (VF) technology on a multitude of landscapes across the Sierra Nevada. Virtual fencing is an emerging precision agriculture tool capable of improving…
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Ground-level view of a grape harvest scene with scissors and bags of harvested grapes
Food Blog: Article

Can a simple spray protect grapes from wildfire smoke?

February 23, 2026
By Emily C. Dooley
Smoke from wildfires can alter grapes and affect the taste and sensory experience of wine. Researchers are applying a calcium spray to grapes to see if the treatment can protect the fruit from smoke exposure.
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Photo of a field of romaine lettuce in the Salinas Valley.
Salinas Valley Agriculture: Article

Reflections on thrips and INSV during the 2025 Lettuce Season

February 23, 2026
By Dylan J Beal, Yu-Chen Wang
Reflections on thrips and INSV during the 2025 Lettuce Season Dylan J. Beal, Daniel K. Hasegawa, Yu-Chen Wang INSV: Early Spring and Summer: isolated, small INSV outbreaks were observed. These outbreaks were associated with adjacent, unmanaged weedy sites.Late Summer and early Fall: more…
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