California Agriculture, December 1958

Volume 12, Number 12
Pesticides tested for hazards to honey bees

research articles

Effects of pesticides on bees: Laboratory and field tests study the effects of agricultural pesticides on highly important pollinators of state's crops
by L. D. Anderson , E. L. Atkins
pp3-4, doi#10.3733/ca.v012n12p3
Abstract
Abstract Not Available – First paragraph follows: Important losses to beekeepers—and to agriculture in general—have been caused by certain pesticides appearing on the market during the last few years.
Expanded Abstract | PDF

Shorter-stemmed Easter lilies: Blooms produced in April on shorter-stemmed plants by using variable low temperatures during portions of forcing period
by Harry C. Kohl
pp5, doi#10.3733/ca.v012n12p5
Abstract
Abstract Not Available – First paragraph follows: Commercial Easter lily forcers frequently have finished plants that are too tall. Shorter plants can be obtained by forcing at lower than the usual night temperature of 60°F. However, such plants—forced at low temperature—need a long forcing period and bloom in June rather than during the Easter season.
Expanded Abstract | PDF

Nitrogen fertilizers on olive: Response to nitrogen applications apparently influenced by variable factors found in different olive growing districts
by H. T. Hartmann
pp6-7, doi#10.3733/ca.v012n12p6
Abstract
Abstract Not Available – First paragraph follows: Most commercial olive growers in California apply nitrogen to their orchards annually, although the response of the trees seems to be different in the various olive districts, probably because of the influence of such factors as soil type, topography, and amount of rainfall.
Expanded Abstract | PDF

Neutrons in water-use studies: Portable neutron equipment permits repeated measurement of soil moisture without injury to plants or disturbing soil
by L. V. Weeks , L. H. Stolzy
pp8, doi#10.3733/ca.v012n12p8
Abstract
Abstract Not Available – First paragraph follows: Accuracies of soil moisture measurements obtained with recently developed neutron equipment are comparable to those associated with conventional sampling procedures.
Expanded Abstract | PDF

Movement of urea in soils: Downward movement of urea in soils and possibility of loss by leaching dependent on rate of conversion to ammonium form
by F. E. Broadbent , G. N. Hill , K. B. Tyler
pp9-10, doi#10.3733/ca.v012n12p9
Abstract
Abstract Not Available – First paragraph follows: Fertilizer urea is considered—usually—to resemble nitrates in its mobility in soils because it is not strongly retained by soil colloids and appears to move freely in the soil solution. However, when added to a soil, urea is converted to ammonium carbonate, and when nitrogen is in the ammonium form it is leached only slightly. The downward movement of urea in soil and the possibility of leaching loss are dependent on the rate of hydrolysis—the conversion of urea to the ammonium form. The hydrolysis is accomplished through the activity of enzymes, present in all agricultural soils, although the rate of conversion varies somewhat among different soils. The accompanying table shows that in four soils the equivalent of 200 pounds per acre urea nitrogen was hydrolyzed to ammonia in two days, and in two of the soils there was virtually no urea remaining after one day. Thus there would be movement of urea nitrogen for only a day or two—or in some soils, only a few hours—because it would be converted to the ammonium form.
Expanded Abstract | PDF

General Information

State's agriculture changing: Shifts in California's pattern of agricultural production since 1941 accompanied by expanding over-all farm income
by Sidney Hoos, E. Margery Jones
pp2-16, doi#10.3733/ca.v012n12p2
PDF

Index-1958
Editors
pp11-15, doi#10.3733/ca.v012n12p11
PDF