Nickels Soils Laboratory 1999 Season Summary

John Edstrom
UCCE Farm Advisor

Detailed information on the cultural practices used at the Nickels Soil Lab for 1999 is provided at the end of this report in Appendix 1. Operations performed this year that differed from past years practices include an extra fungicide spray (Captan®) for anthracnose in the Neplus and Carmel varieties. This disease was confirmed by University of California laboratory tests performed on nut samples from the Green Bay orchard. Additionally, two hull split sprays of Stealth® were applied on Nonpareils for Navel Orangeworm suppression. (Stealth® is a new soy oil based product purported to reduce Navel Orangeworm egg deposition without harming beneficial insects/ parasitoids.)

Almond production this year was generally very good with Carmel yields the highest since 1987. Yields of Price, Mission, Butte and Padre were significantly lower than average, while Nonpareil, Ruby, Monterey and Neplus yields were about average.

The walnuts set a new production record at the Lab this year with both Chandler and Howard varieties producing over 3 tons/acre. However, the prune set was quite light and greatly affected by a frost on April 9.

Also included as an Appendix (2) are data for precipitation and evapotranspiration (Et_o) which show seasonal rainfall 30% below normal and seasonal Et demand at 99% of historical average. The seasonal trap data for the five primary insect pests monitored at NSL, Peach Twig borer, Navel Orangeworm, Omnivorous leaf roller, Codling Moth and Walnut Husk fly, are also available in Appendix 3.

This report includes sixteen reports summarizing the research and demonstration projects conducted at NSL. We have included two maps at the beginning of the report, Green Bay and Marine, which show the locations of all trials. Visits to the Lab are helpful in interpreting the reports. An annual field day is conducted each May featuring NSL projects. Individual visits are also available. Contact John Edstrom (530) 458-0570, or, email jpedstrom@ucdavis.edu