California Ag Network

Category: Non-Video

  • CAWG Addresses Grape Grower & Winemaker Smoke Exposure Challenges

    Last month’s widespread lightning storms resulted in multiple fast-moving and devastating wildfires that affected many regions of the state. More than 1 million acres have burned, resulting in lives lost, damaged structures and property, and smoke-filled days. These wildfires have produced unprecedented challenges for California’s winegrape growers and wineries.

    Growers and wineries have been challenged to determine with certainty how smoke from the state’s many fires has affected this year’s winegrape crop. With that in mind, California Association of Winegrape Growers (CAWG) President John Aguirre issued the following statement:

    “Numerous growers have reported that wineries will not schedule delivery of grapes under contract until laboratory test results are available to indicate the grapes are unaffected by the presence of certain smoke compounds. The few commercial labs serving the industry are backlogged, with wait times of three or more weeks to test and report the results for new grape samples. In other instances, wineries are delaying harvest and grape deliveries pending the completion of small-batch or micro-fermentations of grapes and resulting analyses. These delays – in addition to wineries demanding test results – mean many growers face the prospect of significant crop losses and economic injury. This is unacceptable.

    “Unless specified in a contract, no buyer should believe they are entitled to reject a grower’s grapes based on concerns over smoke damage without corroborating evidence to indicate those grapes have, in fact, been damaged. It’s important to acknowledge a key fact: the presence of smoke in a vineyard, even if heavy at times, does not mean the grapes from that vineyard will invariably be smoke damaged. The challenges posed by recent smoke exposure events do not provide license to buyers to cast aside their contractual obligations to growers.

    “CAWG urges California’s wineries to work with their grower partners to address the shared risks resulting from smoke exposure events. We ask wineries to consider the following:

    • Communicate as soon as possible the standards and conditions, consistent with contract terms, that will be used to decide the acceptability of grapes.
    • Decision-making should be transparent to the grower and determinations regarding the quality status of grapes should be based upon or corroborated by test results from a third-party, accredited laboratory.
    • When data regarding grape quality is unavailable, wineries should discuss with growers, prior to harvest, risk sharing arrangements that are fair and equitable to both parties.
    • In the absence of express contractual authority to do so, wineries are not entitled to impose upon growers’ terms and conditions related to smoke damage risks after accepting and processing grapes delivered under contract.

    “CAWG recognizes the timing of recent wildfires presents exceptional challenges for growers and wineries. We are confident that growers and wineries will unite to overcome current and future challenges, protect the California brand and ensure our wines meet consumers’ expectations for quality and value.”

  • Watermelon Master Classes to Educate, Inform & Inspire

    The first of its kind, the Watermelon Virtual Master Classes were arguably one of the largest pivots of the Spring-Summer season for the communications program of the National Watermelon Promotion Board (NWPB). The challenge was to move an NYC-based freelance summertime media event to online: a virtual version for the at-home world of media and influencers to educate, inform and inspire watermelon content and coverage.

    The reinvention of the media event turned into three separate virtual events with three different topics, three different presenters with three sets of recipe ideas, sending out three different curated boxes of watermelon goodies for the media to enjoy and utilize for their Watermelon Master Classes. The strategies were tri-fold:

    • Lean on “Back to Basics” materials to educate at-home cooks on easy ways to get creative with watermelon
    • Leverage “Use the Whole Watermelon” messaging to encourage use of the rind and juice
    • Develop strong relationships with members of the media and influence their watermelon content for months to come

    NWPB spent weeks pitching media contacts from major publications, in a time when much of the country was in a “shelter in place” order, to offer an at-home, free event to create content and excitement about the sweet summer staple. Additionally NWPB provided education focused on a year-round message to extend the seasonal reach and amplify watermelon’s appeal.

    “We confirmed attendees across the country, rather than have to only host those based in the NYC-area. We sent out custom curated watermelon boxes with a mix of items related to each class and related to our brand: a logoed chef’s apron and a new kitchen knife, a cocktail shaker and food pun spatula, etc. The boxes generated excitement and enthusiasm for the classes, and each one was well attended… with the cameras turned ON!” said Stephanie Barlow, senior director of communications.

    Further, the timing of the classes gave many attendees the opportunity to create their own watermelon content this summer, in time for National Watermelon Day and beyond. Several attendees posted on their personal social pages, where media turn into influencers and endorse watermelon recipes, usage ideas and health benefits. In total, NWPB hosted 60 food editors, writers and media dietitians. Their enthusiasm and delight over the events ensures earned media attention for watermelon to come for months.

    “To date, we have nearly 40 social media posts and 15 articles covering these events, which wasn’t even one of the main strategies but it is additional earned content on their personal influencer networks. We look forward to building long lasting partnerships with writers and their publications in the coming year,” said Barlow.

    These were the Watermelon Master Classes:

    ·       Watermelon Wellness with Pam Smith, RDN featuring Salted Watermelon Woju, Watermelon Overnight Oats, Watermelon Poke Salad and a Watermelon Yogurt Smoothie

    ·       The Ultimate Watermelon Workshop with cookbook authors Mark Scarbrough and Bruce Weinstein, creating Thai-inspired Watermelon Rind Salad, Curried Wheatberry Watermelon Salad and Watermelon, and Prosciutto and Mozzarella Skewers

    ·       Summer Sips Watermelon Cocktails with Jordan Catapano from This Girls Walks into a Bar, mixing a Watermelon Rose Sangria, Watermelon Gimlet and a Summer into Fall Cocktail

    Each of the classes incorporated watermelon key messages of health, value, versatility and year-round availability, but also gave attendees the opportunities to ask questions to the hosts or the watermelon experts from NWPB.

    “The engaging questions were rampant throughout all the classes, asking everything from watermelon storage techniques to flavor pairings, or alternative ingredients when you couldn’t find elderflower liqueur or red wheat berries, which effectively made these events much richer than a plain recipe demonstration,” Barlow continued.

    About National Watermelon Promotion Board

    The National Watermelon Promotion Board (NWPB), based in Winter Springs, Florida, was established in 1989 as an agricultural promotion group to promote watermelon in the United States and in various markets abroad. Funded through a self-mandated industry assessment paid by more than 800 watermelon producers, handlers and importers, NWPB mission is to increase consumer demand for watermelon through promotion, research and education programs.

    Watermelon packs a nutritious punch, with each serving providing an excellent source of Vitamin C (25%), a source of Vitamins A ( 8%) and B6 (8%), and a delicious way to stay hydrated (92% water), with only 80 calories. For additional information, visit www.watermelon.org.

  • Fusarium Crown Rot in Watermelon

    In late June, I was contacted by a watermelon grower and visited his field near the border of Stanislaus and Merced County. In the field, 50% of the plants showed leaf and vine wilt and about 20% died (see the field image). When I made a closer examination, the color of leaf lesions were chocolate brown and stem appeared to be watery (see leaf and crown images). The grower told me that the field was just harvested once but symptoms were already present beforehand. The field was planted by a 45-ct and mini-watermelon cultivars.

    Vine-declined and wilted watermelon plants from the disease infection.

    An initial suspicion was a fusarium disease and/or a possible Gummy Stem Blight caused by Didymella bryoniae, though this is very uncommon for the watermelon in California. I sent leaf, runner, and stem samples to the UC Davis Fungal Pathogen Lab and the results came back with the Fusarium Crown Rot caused by F. solani f. sp. cucurbitae and possibility of F. falciforme. F. falciforme has not been described to infect watermelon but records showed that it could cause crown rot in muskmelon. Gummy stem blight (Didymella bryoniae) colonies were not recovered from the samples, which did not surprise me because this disease is mostly prevalent in the southeast and north area, such as Georgia, South/North Carolina, and Delaware.

    Unlike fusarium wilt caused by F. oxysporum f. sp. niveum, the vascular system of crown rot infected plants typically does not show discoloration far above soil line, instead, necrotic rot of crown and taproot can be seen. As the disease progresses, the rot on the crown develops from a light-colored, water-soaked area to be darker. Eventually, the entire plant wilts and dies. Evidence indicated that fusarium crown rot is more common on summer squash and pumpkin, however, all cucurbits can be infected.

    Water-soaked, necrotic rot of the crown

    Early planted fields can have a higher chance to be infected as disease is favorably developed under a cooler temperature. Soil moisture does affect the development of the disease. Extremely wet soil especially with drip tape breakage creates a favorable microclimate, which definitely accelerates the reproduction of spores and spread of the disease to other rows. Growers using surface drip irrigation should specifically pay more attention to the tape damage and fix the problem timely.

    Various types of information demonstrate that the pathogen (F. solani f. sp. cucurbitae) is seedborne and survives only for two to three years in soil. A four-year rotation of planting non-cucurbit species is usually chosen for the disease control. In addition, choosing clean seeds or fungicide-treated seeds can reduce disease initiation. More information about the Fusarium crown rot on cucurbits can be found at UC IPM: http://ipm.ucanr.edu/PMG/r116100911.html. – By Zheng Wang, UCCE Vegetable Crops Farm Advisor

  • California Walnut Industry Gears Up To Market Record Crop

    On August 28, USDA NASS released the Objective Measurement of the 2020 walnut crop at 780,000 short tons, an increase of 19% over the prior year. “The industry has been expecting increases given continued growth in new acreage, more densely planted orchards, and heavier yielding varieties and has planned accordingly,” stated grower Robert Driver, California Walnut Commission (CWC) Chairperson. “Demand creation for future crop utilization has been years in the making, with the industry’s strategic plan focused on growing sales in the U.S. domestic market and internationally.”

    To take advantage of the large crop and continued demand, a tremendous growth opportunity exists in the U.S. market to expand all sectors of the walnut business across retail, food manufacturing/industrial and foodservice. “We have been planning for these larger crops by expanding consumption through all sectors,” said Michelle Connelly, Executive Director/CEO of the California Walnut Board and Commission (CWB/CWC). “Despite what you might think, per capita consumption of walnuts is only 0.6 pounds per year in the U.S., leaving an exceptional opportunity to further develop consumers’ love of walnuts.”

    Efforts are underway to expand grocery retail presence through two national promotional campaigns, which include a program focused on growing the snacking segment. “While walnuts are not often thought of as a snack, our consumers are telling us otherwise with snacking becoming our top consumer use,” said Jennifer Olmstead, Marketing Director, Domestic PR at CWB/CWC. “Our goal is to make walnuts top-of-mind, not only for consumers, but for food manufacturers and foodservice as well. Not only are walnuts a versatile ingredient that can’t be overlooked, they are a powerhouse of nutrition – offering essential ALA omega-3 (2.5 g/oz.) and plant-based protein (4 g/oz.) – with benefits that are critical to consumers who are seeking healthy, clean, nutritious foods now more than ever.”

    The domestic market offers advantages to the industry: proximity, stability and risk prevention from some of the turbulent times that recent tariff issues have created. However, the industry’s export markets remain vital to the industry’s growth strategy, accounting for more than 60% of annual shipment volumes. The industry has continued to adapt to tariff market challenges, while pursuing new markets for walnuts. Export market diversification has been key to this strategy, and continuing to find and develop export markets is essential.

    “We know we can further diversify the segments of business – similar to the U.S. with growth in food manufacturing and foodservice – while propping up our retail channel. Interestingly, COVID-19 has actually helped increase sales in the retail segment. Retailers and consumers increasingly embrace e-commerce, opening new avenues for retail promotion, while also bolstering the importance of neighborhood grocery, in many countries like Spain and India,” said grower Todd Ramos, CWC Market Development Committee Chairperson.

    Core export markets in Europe and Asia remain critical to the industry and, despite their once-perceived mature status, present excellent opportunity. “But we aren’t stopping there,” stated Pamela Graviet, CWC Senior Marketing Director, International. “With expanded programs in the Middle East, the industry has identified untapped potential among markets that traditionally heavily consume nuts and dried fruits. Global population projections predict that 30% of the world’s population by 2050 will be new mouths to feed; therefore, market research will continue to identify opportunity in new and established markets.”

    To encourage handler investment to grow the walnut market through individual marketing activities, the industry pursued credit-back authority through a marketing order. “We know that the development of new walnut applications is critical to our expansion of the walnut market, and handlers are already making investments, but this program is poised to take that to the next level,” stated grower William (Bill) Tos, CWC Executive Committee Chairperson. The program authority, if approved by a vote of the growers, would come into effect this 2020/21 season.

    At a time when consumers globally are seeking healthy foods more than ever, walnuts offer a multitude of benefits further demonstrated by nutrition research. “Thirty years of research has established walnuts’ heart health benefits and more. But as with all things, the evolution of science is changing rapidly, and that change is also driven by what is important to consumers – gut health, sleep quality, mental health and obesity. Our health research program continues to identify how walnuts can play a role in these important consumer public health issues, while offering a simple, convenient way to potentially improve overall health,” stated Jack Mariani, CWB Market Development Committee Chairperson.

    Investment in production research remains foundational to helping growers produce a better crop, protect against disease and improve orchard management practices, ultimately enhancing the sustainability of the industry. Post-harvest research continues to identify potentially exciting means to improve shelf life, best practices to help manufacturers incorporate more walnuts, by-product utilization and food safety.

    “Our objective has been and continues to be to keep demand ahead of supply. The industry’s investment, careful planning and foresight have set the stage for continued success,” Tos went on to say. Walnut production has doubled in the last 15 years, with new acreage reaching 380,000 with an additional 75,000 acres set to come into production. California walnut growers’ investment in the future will allow more consumers worldwide to enjoy the benefits of consuming walnuts.

  • Identifying Insect Pest Damage Through Harvest Sampling

    With almond and walnut harvest underway, it is a good time to review harvest nut sampling strategy and protocols for the best estimation of field loss by common pests. It is a general understanding that the grade sheet from your processers only represents about half of what is  going on in the field. Also, the whole sum percent damage from the grade sheet does not identify which pest is causing the most economic loss. Insect population in orchards builds over time; therefore, knowing the history of damage helps to address potential risks and strategies to next  year’s pest management program.

    1. Harvest Sampling in Almonds

    Taking a minimum of 500-1000 sample nuts from an average-sized orchard, anytime between shaking and sweeping, is recommended. Infestation can vary among different sides of the tree, and between edges and interiors of the orchard. This is especially true for navel orangeworm damage. Use paper bags to collect samples from multiple spots (>10 sampling spots, if possible) within the orchard. Store the sample bags in a cold room or freezer until you  have time to do crack out. Look for damage signs associated with insect species described in the following paragraphs. Major insect pests for the damage evaluation are navel orangeworm (NOW), peach twig borer (PTB), oriental fruit moth (OFM), ants, leaffooted bugs (LFB), and brown marmorated stink bug (BMSB). BMSB is an invasive stink bug species, which is established and causing damage in almond orchards in the northern San Joaquin Valley.

    1.1. Worm Damage (NOW, PTB, OFM). NOW feed in the kernel (nutmeat) and create deep feeding tunnels. Feeding by NOW results in a significant amount of white frass, and webbings on the kernel (Fig. 1a). Since NOW and PTB often infest the same nut, NOW feeding damage often masks the PTB damage. Feeding damage signs by PTB and OFM on the nutmeat are similar (i.e., the presence of the shallow tunnels and surface grooves on the kernels, and no webbings) (Fig 1b & 1c), except OFM leaves a small amount of reddish frass on the hull, which is absent in PTB damaged nuts.

    Fig. 1. Almond kernels (nutmeat) damaged by: a) navel orangeworm, b) peach twig borer, c) Oriental fruit moth

    1.2. Ant Damage. The percentage of almond  damage by ants at harvest depends on the duration the nuts are on the ground after shaking. The longer almonds are left on the ground gives more time for ants to feed on them, results in more damage. Also, more damage is likely in orchards with drip or sprinkler irrigation compared to orchards with flood irrigation. Cover or vegetation in the orchards also favors ant activity. Nuts with tight shells or with narrower (<0.03-inch wide) hull split have less ant damage. Ants can completely hollow out the nutmeats and leave only thin skin (i.e., pellicle). Other signs of ant feeding damage include scraped or peeled pellicle and presence of “sawdust”, with the absence of webbings and frass (Fig 2a).

    1.3. Leaffooted Bug and Brown Marmorated  Stink Bug Damage. Most nuts infested by the leaffooted bug or BMSB, early in the season (mid- March to mid-May), abort and drop. A small percentage of those infested nuts do not drop but end up becoming shriveled and gummy kernels at harvest (Fig  2b).  Both  LFB  and  BMSB  feeding  after  the shell hardening can result in sunken dark spots on kernels (Fig. 2c), although the degree of damage tends to be higher with BMSB feeding than LFB. Late-season feeding (July-August) by BMSB, can cause dark stained kernels (Fig 2d). Varieties with soft shells such as Fritz, Sonora, Aldrich, Livingston, Monterey, and Peerless are more susceptible to bug damage and for a longer period during the season.

    Fig. 2. Almond kernels damaged by: a) ants, b-d) leaffooted bug and brown marmorated stink bug

    2. Harvest Sampling in Walnuts

    It is recommended to take a minimum of 1000 nuts at the harvest and evaluate for the damage caused by navel orangeworm , codling moth, ants, husk fly, and sunburn. It is important to have representative samples (>10 samples with a minimum of 100 nuts/sample) from the orchard for better estimation of the infestation. The damage signs associated with these specific insect pests and sunburn are described as follows:

    2.1. Worm Damage (NOW, CM). Navel Orangeworm damage can be identified by the presence of a large amount of frass and webbings (Fig 3a). NOW larvae are present in groups and can bore deeply into the kernel. Heavy infestation may give a nutshell an oily appearance. In contrast to NOW, a single codling moth larva infest the nut, and has a lot cleaner damaged area inside the nut. Frass is evident, but only at the entry  point  on  the  husk;  very  little  webbing present (Fig. 3b). If larva is present, look for crescent-shaped marking just behind the head to confirm navel orangeworm.

    Fig. 3. Walnut damaged by: a) navel orangeworm, b) codling moth

    2.2. Ant Damage. Similar to almonds, nut damage by ants increase as the duration of the harvested nuts on the ground increase. Ants enter the nuts from the soft tissues (i.e., stem end) and/ or through a codling moth injury. Ant damage on nuts is identified by the presence of deep chewing channels with clean kernels (i.e., no frass, no webbings, no deep boring) (Fig 4a).

    Fig. 4. Walnut damaged by: a) ants; b) walnut husk fly; c) sunburn
    Fig. 5. (Left) Brown Apical Necrosis is shown on the left, not to be confused with Walnut Blight, shown on the right, and caused by the bacterial pathogen, Xanthomonas arboricola pv. juglandis (Figure provided by Themis Michailides).

    2.3. Husk Fly Damage. Walnut husk fly larvae (technical term: maggots) feed in groups by boring into the husk. Early season damage results in shriveling and darkening of the kernels, with  the increased potential for mold growth. Late- season infestation causes little kernel damage  (Fig. 4b), although it may stain the shell and make the husk removal process difficult.

    Fig. 6. (Right) Moldy, off color nuts which lead to economic loss due to downgrading (Figure provided by Themis Michailides).
    2.4. Sunburn Damage. Sunburn damage on nuts can be confused with husk fly damage. In the case of sunburn, nutmeat is shriveled and darkened on one side of the nut — no evidence of frass, webbings, or larval presence (Fig. 4c). Husks  from sunburn damaged nuts can be removed from the shell during processing, which is not the case for the nuts damaged by husk fly.
    — Article by Jhalendra Rijal, PhD, UCCE IPM Advisor, Stanislaus, Merced & San Joaquin Counties

  • New AVA Approved For Santa Barbara Wine Country

    In Santa Barbara Wine Country, the Alisos Canyon area has long been revered for its high-quality fruit with its unique affinity towards Rhone-style varietals, and now the TTB has formally recognized Alisos Canyon as the region’s newest American Viticultural Area (AVA).

    Nestled between the Santa Ynez Valley and Santa Maria Valley, Alisos Canyon is a tightly defined, stand-alone AVA that covers 5,774 acres distinguished by its unique geology, soil structure, and climate pattern.

    ·      The Alisos Canyon AVA exhibits a distinct viticultural influence of the San Antonio Creek Valley, which runs directly from the mouth of Alisos and Comasa Canyons to the Pacific Ocean 20 miles to the west.

    ·      The ingress of cooling marine winds and fog along the San Antonio Creek Valley helps define the climate of the Alisos Canyon AVA.  Due to some of the greatest diurnal shifts in the central coast, the mean temperature is one of the lowest of all AVAs, resulting in a degree-day average above Santa Rita Hills and significantly below Ballard Canyon.

    ·      Soils are based on weathered sandstone and shale, the Paso Robles and Sisquoc formations with a rare limestone streak along the corridor of the AVA.

    As a result of the distinct meso-climate and specific soil characteristics, Alisos Canyon produces amongst the finest Rhone-style wines on the West Coast with elegant flavor, expressive aromatics and significant longevity. Syrah, Grenache, Grenache Blanc and Petite Sirah are among the standouts in Alisos Canyon.

    During the AVA petition process, researchers highlighted a geological phenomenon called “The Goldilocks Rhone Zone,” where the climate is perfectly suited for Rhone grapes. In Northern Santa Barbara County, there are three primary “channels” that run from the Pacific Ocean to the interior coastal ranges: The Santa Ynez River channel to the south (feeds into Ballard Canyon), the Santa Maria River channel to the north (feeds into Foxen Canyon), and the San Antonio Creek channel in the middle (feeds into Alisos Canyon). Interestingly, there is a consistent distance of 24.5 miles from the Pacific down these channels where top Rhone varietals are grown. “Alisos Canyon falls perfectly within the Goldilocks Rhone Zone, a phenomenon that has proven itself true over three decades of winegrowing history in Santa Barbara,” said Wes Hagen, winemaker and author of the AVA petition.

    Alisos Canyon joins six other AVAs in Santa Barbara County. Historically, the region has added only one AVA about every five years. Grape growers have carefully studied the data of each phase within the seasons throughout the three decades and have defined the areas that produce this distinct and diverse wine style throughout the county. The unique, transverse nature of the valleys of Santa Barbara Wine Country provides a patchwork quilt of micro-climates and terrains, resulting in one of the most diverse grape growing regions in the world.

    About Santa Barbara Vintners

    Santa Barbara Vintners (Santa Barbara County Vintners Association) is a non-profit 501(c)6 organization founded in 1983 to support and promote Santa Barbara County as a world-class wine producing and wine grape growing region. The association includes winery members whose annual production is at least 75% Santa Barbara County (or sub-AVA) labeled, winery associates, vineyards, vineyard management companies, hospitality, and industry associate members. The association produces festivals and wine country weekends; educational seminars and tastings; provides information to consumers, trade, and media; and advocates for the Santa Barbara County wine and grape industry.

  • Fennimore Receives 2020 EurAgEng Outstanding Paper Award

    Steve Fennimore, UC Davis Cooperative Extension Weed Specialist

    Steve Fennimore, UC Davis Plant Sciences faculty member and UC Cooperative Extension weed specialist, and colleagues received the 2020 EurAgEng Outstanding Paper Award for the paper, “Crop Signalling: A Novel Crop Recognition Technique for Robotic Control,” which was published in Biosystems Engineering.

    The research represents a breakthrough in differentiating weeds from crops using machine vision systems. The technology could help California growers address challenges in managing weeds in in dozens of crops with limited herbicide options, and significant hand-weeding costs due to a growing labor shortage.

    “California growers would benefit from improved weeding technology,” said Fennimore. “This technology certainly has commercialization potential by improving the accuracy, speed and reliability of weed/crop differentiation by weeding machines.”

    Rekha Raja, a postdoctoral scholar in the UC Davis Department of Biological and Agricultural Engineering

    Field experiments were successfully conducted for real-time weed control in tomato and lettuce. The paper was a collaborative effort led by first author Rekha Raja, a postdoctoral scholar in the UC Davis Department of Biological and Agricultural Engineering, and included researchers from the UC Davis Departments of Plant Sciences and Plant Biology; UC Cooperative Extensions in Santa Cruz and Monterey Counties; and the Department of Biosystems Engineering at the University of Arizona.

    Awarded by the European Society of Agricultural Engineers, the EurAgEng Outstanding Paper Award is only awarded once every two years and is selected out of all the papers published in Biosystems Engineering. – By Kristin Burns, UCANR

  • Why Aren’t my Blackeye Bean Pods Filling Out?

    Recently, I received a call about a blackeye bean field in the San Joaquin Valley with a lot of bean pods that did not fill out at the tips (photo). I contacted the UC Riverside blackeye bean breeders Drs. Phil Roberts and Bao Lam Huynh and they shared that this problem is primarily caused by heat, which affects pollen viability and thus fertilization. Here’s their response:

    It [lack of pod fill] is the typical male-sterility symptom [lack of pollen viability] associated with extreme temperatures (heat or cold). Based on the planting date you gave, we just checked the temperature in Denair, CA [farm location] and noted that it was quite warm (~100) during the flowering time (40-50 days after planting) and recently during the pod filling stage, so heat must have been a main cause. The symptom could also be more severe if water is limiting.

    Always be prepared with good irrigation management practices for all crops going into heatwaves, like the one we’re having now.  The minimum seasonal irrigation needed to produce a blackeye bean crop being managed for full yield from one pod set is 16 to 18 inches. This estimate includes a pre-irrigation of 4-inches, and irrigations of 4-inches when floral buds first appear, and 8 to 10 inches during 5 to 6 weeks of flowering and pod filling. If additional irrigations are needed during the vegetative stage, one could increase the total irrigation requirement to 20 or more inches. Irrigating for a second flush of pods could require an additional 8 to 12 inches of water. Irrigation requirements are further increased by any water required to leach salts or to compensate for an inefficient irrigation system.

    Additional water may need to be applied during extreme heat events which drive plant transpiration rates to the limit. Make sure to check the soil moisture in the top 12 to 24 inches of the soil profile and apply additional water if the soil is dry. If in doubt about how much additional water is needed, check the reference evapotranspiration (ETo) and make sure to irrigate to replace at least 120% of your daily ETo in your area.  The current (mid to late August) daily ETo in the San Joaquin Valley ranges from 0.25 to 0.30 in/day; make sure your applied irrigation replaces 120% of these values.

    More information on growing blackeye beans can be found in the publication, UC ANR Blackeye bean production

    in California, http://beans.ucanr.edu/files/226601.pdf. – By Rachael Freeman Long, UCCE Farm Advisor

    Lack of pod fill in blackeye bean tips caused by heat, which affects pollen viability and fertilization; water stress can add to this problem, especially during heatwaves. San Joaquin Valley, 2020.

  • Extending the Shelf-Life of Strawberries

    Advances in technology, automation, and remote sensing is a cross-cutting, macro movement in science impacting agriculture outlined in the USDA Science Blueprint (PDF, 2.6 MB). The Science Blueprint guides USDA’s science priorities for the next 5 years, building from past success. Relative to other crops, many specialty crops are more dependent on agricultural labor for production, harvesting, and processing. This is part of a blog series that highlights research investments to advance automation and mechanization for specialty crops.

    We’ve all enjoyed some delicious strawberries this summer, but a short-shelf life can limit that enjoyment. One of the biggest challenges in U.S. strawberry production is managing diseases and pests. The fungal pathogen Botrytis cinerea results in gray mold, or the unappetizing gray fuzz that can quickly appear on strawberries all too soon after we get them home. Growers typically apply fungicides on a weekly basis to control gray mold as well as other fungal diseases.

    Agricultural Research Service (ARS) researchers developed an alternative technology called PhylloLux, which combines Ultraviolet-C (UV-C) irradiation followed by a specific dark period. UV-C kills microbes by damaging their DNA, but doses required to kill fungal pathogens can also damage plant leaves and fruit. ARS researchers found that including a dark period after irradiation prevents activation of a daylight-induced mechanism that repairs DNA damage in microbes and allows for much shorter UV-C irradiation times. The resulting UV-C/dark (UV-C/d) treatment of strawberry plants twice per week, as suggested for commercial application, did not affect nutritional values of strawberry fruit.

    To move the technology to commercial use, ARS scientists first developed a self-propelled, fully automated and programable apparatus that was used for night-time irradiation of strawberries in a high tunnel culture. In 2019, a second robot was developed for autonomous application of UV-C/d in commercial strawberry fields. Preliminary results from two farms in Delaware indicate the UV-C/d application was as good as weekly fungicide sprays.

    The combination of innovation in approach to disease management and in application through new technology is a result of close collaboration between plant pathologists, horticulturists, entomologists and engineers. In fall 2020 larger California pilot tests are planned for targeted pests, including aphids, thrips, scale insects, and slugs.

    PhylloLux is a prime example of innovation in agriculture production as a solution for farmers, consumers, and the environment in support of the USDA Agriculture Innovation Agenda goal to increase U.S. agricultural production by 40 percent while cutting the environmental footprint of U.S. agriculture in half by 2050. Growers can benefit from the resulting drastic kill of fungal plant pathogens causing gray mold, powdery mildew, and anthracnose. The new method is also an effective control for spider mites, further reducing produce loss to growers. Reducing pesticide use improves environmental outcomes and has potential for organic as well as conventional production. And we’ll all benefit from enjoying those strawberries longer.

    This research supports the “value-added innovation” theme outlined in the USDA Science Blueprintand moves us closer to meeting the goals outlined in USDA’s Agriculture Innovation Agenda. – By Dr. Fumiomi Takeda, Research Horticulturist, Dr. Wojciech Janisiewicz, Research Plant Pathologist (retired), Dr. Joseph E. Munyaneza, National Program Leader, Vegetable, Sugarbeet & Greenhouse Crops, USDA Agricultural Research Service

  • Foodservice Campaigns Find New Ways to Promote Watermelons

    Watermelon continues to find its place on menus throughout the country despite the rapidly changing foodservice landscape. Partnering with both quick service and full service national chains in the spring and summer months, the National Watermelon Promotion Board (Board) focused on takeaway- and delivery-friendly options to not only include watermelon on the menu, but keep it top of mind with their customers.

    Juice and smoothies played a prominent role in all of these promotions, allowing operators to experiment with watermelon’s flavor profile, while understanding that away from home, consumers most enjoy watermelon raw, as a snack or with lunch.

    The Board worked with the following foodservice outlets:

    • Another Broken Egg – Chain wide usage in 74 outlets included a fruit side and

      Watermelon Cucumber Cooler. This year, the promotion started earlier in the year (March 17) and, for the first time, the chain tested a savory application, Tacos Verano with Watermelon Salsa.

    • First Watch – Running June 1 through the end of August in 380 locations, the Watermelon Wake Up juice scored a 96/100 for frequency of ordering desire on Datassentials SCORES, a monthly report that tracks and ranks new menu items tested with consumers. Promotions included in-store chalkboards, e-blast, blog post and social.

    • Nektar – Expanded social media promotional elements including Instagram Live and Stories with Nektar founder Alexis Schulze and Board beverage consultant Tony Pereyra, amplified on Board channels. Offerings in 165 units included a smoothie and juice, running from June 15 until Labor Day weekend.

    • Robeks – Custom graphics on Instagram and Facebook promoting the Wailea Watermelon Smoothie, a customer favorite, in 84 locations.

      “Adjusting to operators’ and consumers’ needs was a top priority this year,” said Megan McKenna, Senior Director of Marketing and Foodservice. “Additionally, leveraging

    existing relationships with past partners has made executing programming straightforward and incredibly successful.”

    “You know you have a hit when guests ask for more watermelon salsa on an already generous portion or my favorite, when a guests asked how much for a container to take home because they know a dozen other things that the bright, sweet, spicy, crunchy, salty goodness would go with!” said Jason Knoll, Vice President of Culinary, Another Broken Egg of America Franchising, LLC.

    Looking forward to fall/winter programming, the Board will continue to monitor foodservice needs and consumer trends. For more information about the Foodservice program including how NWPB can support watermelon usage in the foodservice sector, visit watermelon.org/foodservice or contact Megan McKenna at mmckenna@watermelon.org.

    About National Watermelon Promotion Board

    The National Watermelon Promotion Board (NWPB), based in Winter Springs, Florida, was established in 1989 as an agricultural promotion group to promote watermelon in the United States and in various markets abroad. Funded through a self-mandated industry assessment paid by more than 800 watermelon producers, handlers and importers, NWPB mission is to increase consumer demand for watermelon through promotion, research and education programs.

    Watermelon packs a nutritious punch, with each serving providing an excellent source of Vitamin C (25%), a source of Vitamin B6 (8%), and a delicious way to stay hydrated (92% water), with only 80 calories. Watermelon consumption per capita in the United States was an estimated 15.6 pounds in 2019. Watermelon consumption in the United States was approximately 5.1 billion pounds in 2019. The United States exported an additional 321.2 million pounds of watermelon. For additional information, visit www.watermelon.org.