July 1972

Cover: Overview of five-acre test avocado orchard with drip irrigation system in San Diego County.

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California Agriculture, July 1972

Volume 26, Number 7

research articles

Effects of handling procedures and temperature on potato cracking … forced-air warming reduces cracking
by R. F. Kasmire , R. E. Voss , K. G. Baghott
pp3-4, doi#10.3733/ca.v026n07p3
Abstract
Abstract Not Available – First paragraph follows: Potato cracking results from poor handling procedures during harvest, while loading into storage cellars, and during removal from storage. The percentage of marketable tubers (and profits) decreases while the potential infection of tubers increases. Levels of tuber damage caused at various stops during handling of Russet Bur-bank potatoes were determined during 1971-72 at Tulelake. Pre-warming, by forced air heating before removal of potatoes from storage and lowering them through a vertical deceleration chute resulted in a marked reduction in the amount of tuber cracking.
Expanded Abstract | PDF

Microbial insecticides for grape leaf folder control
by Fred Jensen , M. T. Aliniazee
pp5, doi#10.3733/ca.v026n07p5
Abstract
Abstract Not Available – First paragraph follows: The grape leaf folder, Desmia funeralis (Hbn.) Pyralidae: Lepidoptera, requires treatment every year in some Tulare County vineyards. The amount treated varies from a few acres to perhaps a third of the total acreage in the peak years. Although carbaryl (Sevin) gives excellent control, it causes disruptions of natural control factors under some conditions. In an effort to find more innocuous controls, many preparations of Bacillus thuringiensis Berliner have been tested against grape leaf folder over the last 13 years. The new high potency strain of Bt gives promise of highly effective control. This strain, known as HD-1, was isolated by the U.S.D.A.
Expanded Abstract | PDF

Antitranspirants increase size, reduce shrivel of olive fruit
by D. C. Davenport , K. Uriu , P. E. Martin , R. M. Hagan
pp6-8, doi#10.3733/ca.v026n07p6
Abstract
Antitranspirants reduce plant water stress by decreasing water loss through the leaves of olive trees — thus increasing fruit growth. In areas, such as Northern California, where dry northerly winds occur, antitranspirants can markedly reduce the incidence of shrivelled fruit. The antitranspirants in this study were used on an experimental basis and have not yet received EPA approval, although efforts toward approval are being made. Therefore, the results presented indicate the potential of these materials for fruit sizing and are not intended as a recommendation at this stage.
Expanded Abstract | PDF

Transplanting intoa direct seeded asparagus fields
by Brian L. Benson
pp8-9, doi#10.3733/ca.v026n07p8
Abstract
In direct-seeded asparagus fields, areas where plants are missing (skips) can be filled in two times during the year following the seeding operation. Two methods discussed here have been used successfully to fill skips in direct-seeded experimental plantings at the University of California Agricultural Experiment Station at Davis: (1) transplanting one-year-old asparagus crowns or (2) planting asparagus seedlings that have produced secondary stems and roots.
Expanded Abstract | PDF

Rooting cuttings of ‘Swan Hill’ fruitless olive
by J. J. Nussbaum , A. T. Leiser
pp10-12, doi#10.3733/ca.v026n07p10
Abstract
Olea europaea ‘Swan Hill’ is difficult to root. However in each of five different lots, rooting of 80% was obtained. Rooting percentages of 60% to 80% were obtained in 10 other treatments. The mean rooting for all ten treatments in June 1970 was 64.5%. General trends indicate that auxin (IBA) concentrations of 1000 ppm may be adequate with softwood cuttings and 2000 ppm adequate with semi-hardwood cuttings, and that higher concentrations may be detrimental. Wounding may be beneficial with softwood cuttings under some conditions and it does not appear to be detrimental under any circumstance. The sensitivity of ‘Swan Hill’ in rooting response to season and auxin concentration might be used as a tool to develop methods of determining the time to take cuttings for best rooting response. ‘Swan Hill’ can be rooted satisfactorily from softwood or semi-hardwood cuttings. Because of the relatively long time required for rooting, care must be used to minimize algae growth on cuttings and flats, to select the most vigorous cuttings, and to exercise care in hardening-off and transplanting.
Expanded Abstract | PDF

Drip irrigation experiments with avocados in San Diego County
by C. D. Gustafson , A. W. Marsh , R. L. Branson , Sterling Davis
pp12-14, doi#10.3733/ca.v026n07p12
Abstract
Abstract Not Available – First paragraph follows: A new approach to irrigation, called drip irrigation, was developed in Israel in recent years. Under the leadership of Professor Dan Goldberg, Head, Department of Irrigation, Hebrew University, this system has now been tested for 10 years and developed to its present stage. About 10,000 acres of commercially grown vegetables, field crops, and fruit trees are being irrigated by drip irrigation in that country today.
Expanded Abstract | PDF

Effects of plant density on yield and quality of cantaloupes
by M. Zahara
pp15, doi#10.3733/ca.v026n07p15
Abstract
Abstract Not Available – First paragraph follows: Approximately 68,000 acres of cantaloupes are grown annually in California. The desert areas of Blythe and Imperial Valley grow about 12,000 of the total acreage in the early spring and fall. The largest acreage, 30,000 acres, is grown in Fresno County in the San Joaquin Valley. Generally the number of vines per acre will range from 5,000 to 8,000 with a trend by growers to increase the plant population per acre. This experiment was conducted at Davis to determine the effect of plant density on yield of marketable cantaloupes.
Expanded Abstract | PDF

editorial, news, letters & science briefs

EDITORIAL: Consumers call the tune
by Arthur I. Morgan
pp2, doi#10.3733/ca.v026n07p2
PDF