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APRIL-JUNE 2005 ° VOLUME 59 NUMBER 2 California Agriculture Kearney at 40: Research blooms in the Valley University of California | Division of Agriculture and Natural Resources | Research in Agricultural, Natural and Human Resources 40 COVER: Orchard-systems research conducted at KREC on peaches (shown in bloom) and other tree fruits has reduced labor costs and improved grower profitability (see pages 75, 80). Cover and table of contents photos by Jack Kelly Clark. Kearney Research and Extension Center News departments Research articles 52 Letters 65 Blueberry research launches exciting new 53 Editorial overview California specialty crop Collaboration fosters Kearney Jimenez et al. scientific achievements New cultivars are productive in the semiarid Central Valley, but initial soil preparation 56 Introduction and establishment costs are high. Agricultural innovation marks 40 years at Kearney 70 The future of California raisins Legendary “mother” pistachio is drying on the vine tree to be retired Peacock, Swanson KREC researchers developed a low-cost 62 Research updates method of drying raisins on the vine; yields “Farm to palate” postharvest research equaled those of traditional tray-drying for ensures high-quality produce 4 consecutive years. UC nematologists battle Orchard-system configurations tiny underground pests 75 increase efficiency, improve 4064 Science brief profits in peaches and nectarines Lygus study validates Day, DeJong, Johnson treatment thresholds Higher-density planting systems, coupled with pruning techniques that enhance light interception, provide economic benefits for orchardists. Editor’s note 80 Labor costs may be reduced . We gratefully acknowledge the efforts of Research yields size-controlling those who contributed to this special issue rootstocks for peach production on the 40th anniversary of the UC Kearney DeJong et al. Research and Extension Center (KREC): After 8 years in the orchard, trees on five David A. Grantz, Kearney Agricultural experimental rootstocks had positive results; Center Director, and Frederick H. Swanson, three have been made available to growers. KREC Director, who served as co-chairs; California Agriculture Associate Editors 84 Methyl bromide alternatives . Kevin R. Day, Steven A. Fennimore, Debo- Soil solarization provides weed rah A. Golino, Mark E. Grismer, John Letey control for limited-resource and and Carole Lovatt, who oversaw peer re- organic growers in warmer cli- view of the manuscripts; Jack Kelly Clark, mates Principal Photographer with ANR Com- Stapleton et al. munication Services, for original photog- For small-acreage specialty crops, solariza- raphy and digital color correction; Photo tion can be much less expensive than methyl Assistant John Stumbos, for compiling the bromide fumigation, with comparable yields and weed control. images and writing captions; and KREC for providing funding to make this double issue (the largest in California Agriculture history) possible. Signs of the times California Agriculture Since its dedication on May 26, 1965, the laboratories, administrative offices, meeting Peer-reviewed research and news published place commonly known as “Kearney” has rooms, dormitories and an airstrip. The “UC by the Division of Agriculture and undergone numerous name changes. Today, Kearney Agricultural Center” (KAC) is an aca- Natural Resources, University of California the “UC Kearney Research and Extension demic unit, akin to a campus, which includes VOLUME 59, NUMBER 2 Center” (KREC) refers to the entire 330-acre scientists in residence and their staff. Far Executive editor: Janet White facility, including field sites, greenhouses, left, Fred Swanson. Managing editor: Janet Byron Art director: Davis Krauter California Agriculture 1111 Franklin St., 6th floor Oakland, CA 94607-5200 Phone: (510) 987-0044; Fax: (510) 465-2659 90 Mulches reduce aphid-borne 115 Conventional and molecular [email protected] viruses and whiteflies in cantaloupe assays aid diagnosis of crop dis- http://CaliforniaAgriculture.ucop.edu eases and fungicide resistance California Agriculture (ISSN 0008-0845) is published quarterly and mailed at period- Summers, Mitchell, Stapleton icals postage rates at Oakland, CA and additional mailing offices. Postmaster: Send Plastic and wheat straw mulch decreased Michailides et al. change of address "Form 3579" to California Agriculture at the above address. RATES: Subscriptions free upon request in U.S.; $24/year outside the U.S. Af- aphid-borne viruses and whitefly in canta- Molecular assays offer the possibility of ter publication, the single copy price is $5.00. Orders must be accompanied by loupe, increasing yields and late-season fruit much faster, more reliable plant disease payment. Payment may be by check or international money order in U.S. funds payable to UC Regents. MasterCard/Visa accepted; requests require signature size without pesticides. tests, and already can supplement conven- and card expiration date. Please include complete address. tional techniques. Articles published herein may be reprinted, provided no advertisement for a commercial product is implied or imprinted. Please credit California Agriculture, 95 Large bugs damage pistachio nuts University of California, citing volume and number, or complete date of issue, most severely during midseason 124 Deep vadose zone hydrology followed by inclusive page numbers. Indicate ©[[date]] The Regents of the Uni- versity of California. Photographs may not be reprinted without permission. Daane et al. demonstrates fate of nitrate in UC prohibits discrimination against or harassment of any person on the basis eastern San Joaquin Valley of race, color, national origin, religion, sex, gender identity, pregnancy (includ- Large bugs cause the most damage to pista- ing childbirth and medical conditions related to pregnancy and childbirth), chios in June and July, after the fruit load is Harter et al. physical or mental disability, medical condition (cancer-related or genetic char- acteristics), ancestry, marital status, age, sexual orientation, citizenship, or sta- set but before shells harden. Analysis of 52-foot cores under a former tus as a covered veteran (special disabled veteran, recently separated veteran, Vietnam-era veteran or any other veteran who served on active duty during orchard showed heterogeneous water flow a war or in a campaign or expedition for which a campaign badge has been 103 Early harvest delays berry skin patterns and preferential flow paths for wa- authorized) in any of its programs or activities. University Policy is intended to terborne pollutants. be consistent with the provisions of applicable State and Federal laws. Inquiries browning of ‘Princess’ table grapes regarding the University's nondiscrimination policies may be directed to the Vial, Crisosto, Crisosto Affirmative Action/Staff Personnel Services Director, University of California, 133 Weighing lysimeters aid Agriculture and Natural Resources, 300 Lakeside Dr., 6th Floor, Oakland, CA Skin browning in ‘Princess’ table grapes in- 94612-3550 or call (510) 987-0096. 40 study of water relations in tree ©2005 The Regents of the University of California creased with maturity at harvest; vineyard location and management had a greater im- and vine crops pact than maturity. Johnson et al. Associate Editors Weighing lysimeters are assessing peach Animal, Avian, Aquaculture 109 Reduced-risk fungicides help & Veterinary Sciences and grape water use, to evaluate simpler, Edward R. Atwill manage brown rot and other less expensive methods. Christopher M. Dewees fungal diseases of stone fruit Kathryn Radke 137 Ozone reduces crop yields Barbara A. Reed Adaskaveg et al. Economics & Public Policy New, safer fungicides performed as well as directly and alters crop competition James Chalfant older ones in pre- and postharvest studies, with weeds such as yellow nutsedge Henry J. Vaux, Jr. following wound inoculations and under Food & Nutrition Grantz, Shrestha Amy Block Joy packingline conditions. Smog in some parts of the Central Valley is Sheri Zidenberg-Cherr now worse than Los Angeles; weed competi- Human & Community Development tion in agricultural crops could be altered by Marc Braverman Ellen Rilla increased ozone levels. Alvin Sokolow Land, Air & Water Sciences David Goldhamer Mark E. Grismer Ken Tate Bryan Weare Kearney Research and Extension Center Vital statistics: Natural Resources Adina Merenlender For more information: • 330 acres Kevin O’Hara KREC: http://danrrec.ucdavis.edu/ • Mediterranean climatic zone Terry Salmon kearney/home_page.html • Flat alluvial plain terrain, Pest Management Kearney Agricultural Center: 337 feet above sea level Janet C. Broome www.uckac.edu/uckac • 10.6 inches annual precipitation Kent Daane • Summer maximum mean temp.: 94.9ºF Deborah A. Golino • Winter minimum mean temp.: 39.4ºF Tim Paine • Soil series: Hanford – fine sandy and Plant Sciences sandy loam; Hesperia – fine sandy Kent Bradford loam; Exeter – sandy loam shallow Kevin R. Day • Geographic location: Steven A. Fennimore Latitude – 36º 36’ 1.5” N Carol Lovatt Longitude – 119º 30' 38.8” W Letters WHAT DO YOU THINK? La Conchita and mudslide science structive flows. Unfortunately, the rapid urbanization of The editorial staff of In the horrific mudslide in La Conchita, the news previously untamed land has often not kept pace with the California Agriculture media were focused on the tragedy and neglected proper mitigation of these hazards, and the occurrences of welcomes your letters, to address the science. The most valuable