- Author: Stephen J. Vasquez
The Plant Identification Lab at Foundation Plant Services (FPS), UC Davis provides variety identification using DNA Fingerprinting technology for grape, and other crops. The service makes DNA-based grape variety identification available to the public on a fee-for-service basis.
The grape variety identification service can be used by nursery managers, grape growers, wineries, breeders and other industry representatives. The identification process begins by extracting DNA from the client's grapevine sample. Dried young leaves are the standard sample, but plant variety can be identified using other parts of the plant such as fruit, roots and dormant cuttings, which allows samples to be tested throughout the season.
Since...
- Author: Stephen J. Vasquez
According to the USDA National Agricultural Statistics Service (NASS),California raisin type grapes using the overhead trellis management system totaled 19,543 acres (bearing and non-bearing) during 2011. This amounted to 9.8 percent of the total raisin type grape acreage. Varieties ‘Fiesta’ and ‘DOVine’ had the highest percentage of acreage using the overhead trellis system, at 52.2 percent and 41.2 percent, respectively. However, ‘DOVine’ at 609 acres is being grafted over to by growers other varieties including ‘Fiesta’. ‘Selma Pete’ has increased in acreage to 3,872 with approximately 33.1 percent of the plantings trained on an overhead trellis system. The remaining acreage...
- Author: Stephen J. Vasquez
Total grape acreage for California in 2011 was 848,000 acres according to the California Grape Acreage Report, released April 17, 2012. Of the total grape acreage, 796,000 were bearing while 52,000 were non-bearing.
The wine-type grape acreage is estimated at 543,000 acres. Of the total acres, 506,000 were bearing and 37,000 were non-bearing. Table-type grape acreage totaled 96,000 acres with 85,000 bearing and 11,000 non-bearing. Acreage of raisin-type grapes totaled 209,000 acres, of which 205,000 were bearing and 4,000 were non-bearing.
The leading wine-type varieties continued to be Chardonnay and Cabernet...
- Author: Matthew W. Fidelibus
- Contributor: Stephen J. Vasquez
Current weather forecasts predict the San Joaquin Valley may experience alternating periods of cool and warm temperatures in the next few weeks. Such conditions may lead to the development of weather-related disorder known as “spring fever”. On vines with spring fever, basal leaves will become chlorotic, with green leaf-color fading first from the leaf margins, and then progressing inwards, towards primary and secondary veins (Figure 1 shows a variety of spring fever symptoms). Also, leaf margins will curl upward, and they may become necrotic. Severely affected leaves may fall from the vine. As the weather becomes warmer and less variable—typically before bloom—the vines will grow out of this condition, normally without any lasting...
- Author: Fresno County Farm Bureau
- Author: Stephen J. Vasquez
The first in a series of seminars to help educate farm labor contractors, growers and supervisors about heat illness prevention regulations will be held on Thursday, April 5, in Easton. The training will be held at the C.P.D.E.S. Hall, located at 172 W. Jefferson Avenue, Eaton CA.
Attendees will be able to take what they learn back to their own operations, ultimately educating thousands of farm employees.
California employers are required to take these four steps to prevent heat illness
Training: Train all employees and supervisors about heat illness prevention.
Water: Provide enough...
