Agriculture

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handfull of dirt
Topics in Subtropics: Article

The Soil Microbiome

November 14, 2024
By Ben A Faber
It promises to be an outstanding seminar. Andr Custodio Franco, assistant professor, Indiana University, Bloomington, will speak on "Deciphering the Soil Macrobiome: Belowground Communities Driving Ecosystem Responses to Global Change" at a seminar hosted Monday, Nov.
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Seven people in an unplanted field collect data.
Green Blog: Article

Extreme weather accelerates nitrate pollution in groundwater

November 13, 2024
By Pamela S Kan-Rice
Extreme weather spurred by climate change, including droughts and heavy rains, may increase the risk of nitrates from fertilizers ending up in groundwater, according to a recent study from researchers at the University of California, Davis.
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frost satsuma irrigation
Topics in Subtropics: Article

Irrigation in a Freeze

November 13, 2024
By Ben A Faber
Confronted with approaching freezing conditions a grower has several options to mitigate the potential cold damage. There are foliar sprays like copper that can reduce the incidence and need to be applied several weeks in advance of cold.
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Honey bee nectaring on tower of jewels, Echium wilpretii. This is a non-native, but isn't it pretty? The California Master Beekeeper Program is offering a class on "Planning Year-Round Native Plant Pollinator Garden" on Nov. 17. (Photo by Kathy Keatley Garvey)
Bug Squad: Article

CAMBP Classes on Pollinator Gardens and Apiary Technology

November 12, 2024
By Kathy Keatley Garvey
Like to learn about planning a year-round native pollinator garden or about technology in the apiary? The California Master Beekeeper Program (CAMBP) has announced its last two classes of 2024. One is a three-hour course, Planning Year-Round Native Plant Pollinator Garden from 9 a.m.
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IMG 2031
Topics in Subtropics: Article

Wild Fire and Soil

November 11, 2024
By Ben A Faber
Low-severity wildland fires and prescribed burns have long been presumed by scientists and resource managers to be harmless to soils, but this may not be the case, new research shows.
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The UC Davis Entomology Graduate Student Association (EGSA) will be selling its member-designed t-shirts at the ESA meeting in Phoenix. Iris Quayle (left) of the Jason Bond lab, and Mia Lippey of the Meineke lab, will be giving presentations and also staffing the EGSA table. (Photo by Kathy Keatley Garvey)
Bug Squad: Article

Why Phoenix Is the Place to Be Nov. 10-13

November 8, 2024
By Kathy Keatley Garvey
Phoenix is the place to be Nov. 10-13. That's the site of the Entomological Society of America's annual meeting, with thousands of entomologists descending upon the city and the Phoenix Convention Center (PCC). And UC Davis entomologists will be an important part of it.
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Postdoctoral research scientist James Starrett, of the arachnology lab of Professor Jason Bond, director of the Bohart Museum, gets ready to eat a crickette. (Photo by Kathy Keatley Garvey)
Bug Squad: Article

Pass the Crickets, Please!

November 7, 2024
By Kathy Keatley Garvey
"Crickets, anyone? Free sample!" Tabatha Yang, education and outreach coordinator for the Bohart Museum of Entomology, sits at a table at a Bohart open house and points to a line of small paper cups, each containing three "Crickettes.
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avocado burned 2 years later 3
Topics in Subtropics: Article

Care of Fire or Frost Damaged Trees

November 7, 2024
By Ben A Faber
Recent and recurring fires are a problem where both citrus and avocado are grown in California.The winter forecast is out from NOAA and it looks like there might be frost in our future. What do you do if it hits your trees? https://www.noaa.
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IMG 2040
Topics in Subtropics: Article

Fire Information for Tree Crop Growers

November 7, 2024
By Ben A Faber
The following is a compendium of blogs for growers to help with the recent fire damage in the Ventura area: Tree and Vine Loss Calculators Spread sheets to help you calculate loss Calculate Cost of Fire Damage to Avocado and Citrus Trees Information from Ben Faber, Soils and Water, Avocado and Minor...
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