NEWS BRIEFS
USDA estimates crops ProductionofCalifornianon-citrus fruit and nut crops showed a mixed picture during2020,accordingtoastatistical report fromtheU.S. Department of Agriculture. Inasummaryissuedlastweek, theUSDA NationalAgricultural StatisticsServicesaid production of a dozen California-grown fruit andnut crops had increased. Among fruit crops, harvests rose for apples, avocados, blueberries, cherries,
strawberries accounted for more than three-quarters of that production. Studies benefit grapes Ongoingefforts tothwart insectsanddis- eases that attackgrapevineshavebeenen- hancedby a dozennewresearchprojects. The Pierce’s Disease/Glassy-winged Sharpshooter Board said it had approved more than $2.1 million for the projects, which study Pierce’s disease, plus other
grapevinevirusesandpests.Theboardalso invested$640,053for the2021-22fiscalyear in sevencontinuing,multiyear projects. Pierce’sdiseasekills grapevinesandcan be carried by an insect, the glassy-winged sharpshooter. Grape growers pay an as- sessment to support the research. Newly funded studies include a project exploring whether artificial intelligence can be employed to create a field-based app to evaluate disease-stressed vines; work tounderstandmealybugs that trans- mit vine diseases; and research on how to prevent the effects of grapevine red blotch virus onwine quality. The PD/GWSS board also reported on resultsof anursery regulatoryprogramin- tendedtopreventmovement of theglassy- winged sharpshooter. AsofMarch31, theboardsaid, therehad been 10,702 nursery stock shipments to non-infestedareas of the state. Inspectors in origin counties stopped one glassy- winged sharpshooter adult, one nymph and four eggmasses frommoving innurs- erystockshipments, theboardsaid, andall nursery shipments were free of the insect during destination inspections. An approved-treatment program for nursery stock reported 3,188 shipments, consisting of approximately 644,000 plants, as ofMarch 31. “No regulatory actions havebeen taken against any ATP nurseries for viable life stages so far this year,” the board said. TheCaliforniaDepartment of Foodand Agriculture said Pierce’s disease has been reported in 28 counties. Group certifies vineyards Twenty Sonoma County winegrape growers recently completed a climate adaptationpilot programcovering nearly 1,900 acres of vineyards. The Climate Adaptation Certification Program, created by the California Land Stewardship Institute, intends to limit car- bon dioxide and nitrous oxide emissions while focusing on carbon sequestration. Researchers from the institute created custom land-management programs for each participating winegrape grower, based on the vineyard’s soil type and site features, as well as practices such as cov- er crops, tillage, irrigation and nitrogen use. The programalso took into account the presence of oaks, creeks and wet- lands on given properties, and looked at ways native plantings could help se- quester carbon. Scientific researchers from the institute worked with farmers to answer questions, offer recommenda- tions and conduct field trials. The pilot program found that, based on the 20 participating sites, about 2,407 tons of carbon-dioxide equiva- lents can be removed annually from the atmosphere. The Sonoma County Winegrowers or- ganization worked with the institute on the program. Thegroup’spresident,KarissaKruse, said thatmadeSonomaCountyWinegrowersthe first agricultural participants in theClimate AdaptationCertificationpilot program.
dates, kiwifruit, plums, raspberries and strawberries.Productionalsoincreasedfor three California tree-nut crops: almonds, pistachios andwalnuts. The USDA report showed reduced California crops of apricots, grapes, nec- tarines, olives, peaches, pears andprunes. Nationally, the report said, the com- bined production of 21 non-citrus fruit crops totaled 15.4 million tons in 2020, down 10% from2019. Grapes, apples and
The scientific explanation. Calcium is a critical element for fruit development. A calcium deficiency in plants results in dividing cells being unable to stay bound together. This causes poor quality in grapes such as dieback of growing tips of roots and leaves, internal fruit decay and blossom end rot.
ENCOURAGE NANOCAL is a unique formulation of calcium carbonate. ® ®
Typical calcium soil additives have particle sizes of up to 200 microns, too big to be readily absorbed by roots. NANOCAL is milled to less than one micron. This greatly expands the calcium surface area, and allows more particles in solution, providing a denser field of calcium particles for uptake.
Proof of Performance:
Foliar-applied calcium does not translocate to fruit.
The only efficient way to move calcium into developing grapes is through root uptake. Soil-applied NANOCAL’s particle size allows immediate movement into the meristematic region of growing roots. TransXylem ™ technology translocates the calcium throughout the plant to rapidly dividing cells in the developing grapes.
Better quality fruit.
Soil-applied NANOCAL calcium particles are immediately available to developing fruit. Benefits of improved calcium uptake include: • Reduction in calcium-deficiency quality issues • Improved shelf life and storability • Better uniformity at maturity • Increased firmness • Increased yield Learn more at oroagriusa.com ENCOURAGE NANOCAL is a proprietary trademark of Oro Agri Inc. Always read and follow label directions.
16 Ag Alert May 12, 2021
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