September-October 1996

Cover: In the response to the rapid depletion of landfill capacity, the California Legislature enacted a law mandating landfill disposal reductions of 25% by 1995 and 50% by the year 2000. Sonoma Composting diverts green waste from landfills and converts it into a rich soil amendment. Photo by Jack Kelly Clark.

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California Agriculture, September-October 1996

Volume 50, Number 5
Recycled green waste: Can it find a home on the farm?

peer-reviewed research articles

Trained home composters reduce solid waste by 18%
by Paul Vossen , Ellen Rilla
pp11-15, doi#10.3733/ca.v050n05p11
Abstract
The UC Cooperative Extension's Master Gardener Program has entered into a creative partnership with the Sonoma County Waste Management Agency to help reduce landfill waste by teaching people to how to compost in their back yards. Master Gardener volunteers train approximately 1,000 people each year. A survey was conducted in 1995 and 1996 to evaluate the effectiveness of workshops and clinics. By composting kitchen scraps and yard trimmings, the home composters surveyed were able to reduce their input into the waste stream by 18.3% — about six 32-gallon garbage cans per household per year.
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Wholesale nursery surveys reveal inventory, customers and business practices
by Ursula K. Schuch , Grant J. Klein
pp16-21, doi#10.3733/ca.v050n05p16
Abstract
The California greenhouse and nursery industry is the second most important agricultural commodity in the state and the leading producer in the nation. Surveys in 1989 and 1994 collected information from wholesale nurseries regarding basic characteristics and the way they conduct business. Results show that more new nurseries were started between 1983 and 1988 than during the following 5 years. Over that same time period, nurseries employed fewer permanent and more temporary personnel. The surveys reflect the diversity of the California nursery industry, which produced a wide range of landscape plant categories, none of which accounted for more than 18% of overall sales. More than 80% of nursery products are grown in containers, and the majority of California nursery products are sold within the state.
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Californians' eating habits differ from their dietary attitudes
by Christine M. Bruhn , Dana Wong , Howard G. Schutz
pp22-26, doi#10.3733/ca.v050n05p22
Abstract
While California consumers are knowledgeable about general dietary recommendations, a recent survey found many are not aware of the recommended daily servings of fruit and vegetables, and do not always follow through on meal-time practices to lower dietary fat and increase fiber. Nutrition education should be targeted to correct misunderstandings about diet, and emphasize the values of eating fruit and vegetables and exercising to maintain good health.
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Reflective materials enhance ‘Fuji’ apple color
by Harry Andris , Carlos H. Crisosto
pp27-30, doi#10.3733/ca.v050n05p27
Abstract
Red color development is an important factor for consumer acceptance of California ‘Fuji’ apples. Several attempts to improve red color development, including delaying harvest, have been unsuccessful in warm production areas. In California, late harvest has been associated with physiological problems such as skin cracking and internal browning. A study conducted under the warm San Joaquin Valley conditions reveals a new approach to economically enhance ‘Fuji’ red color. The use of reflective materials between tree rows enhanced red color development without reducing fruit quality under poor and good orchard conditions.
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Deep plowing exacerbates lettuce drop in Salinas Valley
by Krishna V. Subbarao , Steven T. Koike , Judith C. Hubbard
pp30-33, doi#10.3733/ca.v050n05p30
Abstract
Deep plowing is unlikely to be a successful disease management strategy for lettuce drop in the high-inoculum-density fields of the Salinas Valley. Research shows that the deep-plowing procedure may change the distribution of soilborne sclerotia, ultimately resulting in higher disease incidence.
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Spring insecticide treatments control adelgids on Douglas fir
by Lucia G. Varela , Richard S. Cowles , Dean R. Donaldson
pp34-37, doi#10.3733/ca.v050n05p34
Abstract
Insecticide applications made to Douglas fir Christmas trees vary in their ability to suppress Cooley spruce gall adeigid, a sucking insect that causes needle distortion and discoloration. A field experiment in Napa County showed that organophosphate systemics are ineffective at controlling adelgids, but imidacloprid, a newly registered systemic insecticide, is highly effective. Horticultural oil is effective, but causes slight needle yellowing. This side effect can be mitigated by precisely timing the oil application before bud break when the overwintering adelgids are transforming to adults but before they lay eggs.
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Preemergence herbicides have little effect on vigor of perennial grasses
by W. Thomas Lanini , Rachael F. Long , John Anderson
pp38-41, doi#10.3733/ca.v050n05p38
Abstract
Perennial grass stands often face stiff competition from weeds, particularly during the first few years after grass establishment. Field studies were conducted to evaluate the tolerance of several established perennial grasses to preemergence herbicides in order to selectively suppress weeds. Grass vigor was reduced by some herbicides, but most had minimal effects. The herbicides that controlled weeds best also caused the greatest reduction in grass vigor.
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Metam-sodium kills beneficial soil fungi as well as cotton pests
by R. Michael Davis , J. Joe Nunez , Ron N. Vargas , Bill L. Weir , Steve D. Wright , Doug J. Munier
pp42-44, doi#10.3733/ca.v050n05p42
Abstract
Mycorrhizal fungi colonize cotton roots and stimulate plant growth by absorbing minerals from the soil. These beneficial fungi can be adversely affected by metam-sodium, a soil-applied general biocide frequently used for weed control in cotton. Although metam-sodium also kills disease-causing fungi that reduce cotton stands, the advantages of pest control with metam-sodium must be weighed against added fertilizer costs needed to offset the loss of mycorrhizae.
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Field-based phenological model predicts pink bollworm emergence
by Carol J. Adams , Ronald S. Hamilton , C.A. Beasley
pp44-48, doi#10.3733/ca.v050n05p44
Abstract
Control of pink bollworm, a serious pest of cotton in southeastern California, is enhanced by knowing when the different stages of its development will occur. Prediction of pink bollworm development requires a phenological model that relates development to a thermal scale. For spring emergence, the study showed that heat unit accumulation starting Feb. 1 was the best predictor of beginning and peak emergence. This research used field-collected data to establish lower and upper temperature thresholds of 57° and 91 °F (13.9° and 32.8°C), respectively; 409° and 918°F-days (227° and 510°C-days) from Feb. 1 to the beginning and the peak of spring emergence, respectively; and 866°F-days (492°C-days) between generations, from adult moth to adult moth.
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editorial, news, letters & science briefs

EDITORIAL: Vintage facilities need creative funding
by W.R. Gomes
pp2, doi#10.3733/ca.v050n05p2
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Research update: Farmers say regulations complicate farming
by Raymond Coppock
pp4-5, doi#10.3733/ca.v050n05p4
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Fire management may hinder biodiversity
by Robin Meadows
pp6-8, doi#10.3733/ca.v050n05p6
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News from the recycling front: Agriculture could provide a major market for recycled green waste
by Jeannette Warnert
pp8-10, doi#10.3733/ca.v050n05p8
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