April-June 2003

Cover: Soil is the essential building block for sustainable agriculture and healthy ecosystems. In this issue, UC scientists examine how production agriculture, natural vegetation, and environmental regulation have effected California soil. One study finds that the state's soil has maintained its chemical quality over the last six decades, although erosion appears to have accelerated. Scientists working in oak woodlands report that blue oaks signifcantly enhance the fertility of the soil. Others performing field trials in the Salinas Valley assess the trade-offs of different cultural practices. In addition, researchers provided helpful information to rice growers incorporating rice straw into soil, and to managers seeking to meet environmental regulations while using public lands to graze livestock.

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California Agriculture, April-June 2003

Volume 57, Number 2
California soil quality: a closer look

peer-reviewed research articles

Looking back 60 years, California soils maintain overall chemical quality
by Fabrice DeClerck , Michael J Singer
pp38-41, doi#10.3733/ca.v057n02p38
Summary | Expanded Abstract | HTML w/Links | PDF

Blue oak enhance soil quality in California oak woodlands
by Randy A Dahlgren , William R Horwath , Kenneth W Tate , Trina J Camping
pp42-47, doi#10.3733/ca.v057n02p42
Summary | Expanded Abstract | HTML w/Links | PDF

Scientists, growers assess trade-offs in use of tillage, cover crops and compost
by Louise E Jackson , Irenee Ramirez , Ron Yokota , Steven A Fennimore , Steven T Koike , Diane M Henderson , William E Chaney , Karen M Klonsky
pp48-54, doi#10.3733/ca.v057n02p48
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Incorporating straw may induce sulfide toxicity in paddy rice
by Suduan Gao , Kenneth K Tanji , Steven C Scardaci
pp55-59, doi#10.3733/ca.v057n02p55
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Stubble height standards for Sierra Nevada meadows can be difficult to meet
by David F Lile , Kenneth W Tate , Donald L Lancaster , Betsy M Karle
pp60-64, doi#10.3733/ca.v057n02p60
Summary | Expanded Abstract | HTML w/Links | PDF

editorial, news, letters & science briefs

EDITORIAL: How to manage “soil quality” key question for farmers and scientists
by Garrison Sposito
pp34, doi#10.3733/ca.v057n02p34
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Letters: April-June 2003
From our readers
pp36, doi#10.3733/ca.v057n02p36a
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Science briefs: April-June 2003
Editors
pp36-37, doi#10.3733/ca.v057n02p36b
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