Growing the Valley

Polyphenol deposition in pistachio kernels, also known as internal kernel discoloration, is a harmless phenotype of pistachios, where dark coloration appears on the internal surface of the pistachio cotyledons (the two halves of the kernel). It started showing up widely in the late 2010s/early 2020s, and researchers Georgia Drakakaki, Phoebe Gordon, and Minmin Wang have been investigating it from different angles (Phoebe from the field perspective; Georgia and Minmin from the anatomical and physiochemical perspective). In this episode, they share some initial results. We still don’t know what truly causes it, but we have some answers to basic questions. Episode transcript The views, thoughts, and opinions expressed are the speaker’s own and do not represent the views, thoughts, and opinions of the University of California. The material and information presented here is for general information purposes only. The "University of California" name and all forms and abbreviations are the property of its owner and its use does not imply endorsement of or opposition to any specific organization, product, or service. Follow us on Twitter! @SacOrchards and @SJVtandv Thank you to the Almond, Pistachio, Prune, and Walnut Boards of California for their kind donations. Thank you to Muriel Gordon for the music. Come to an upcoming extension meeting! Sacramento Valley And the Nickels Field Day is on Tuesday May 19 San Joaquin Valley (scroll to the bottom)

Our concerns about how climate change will affect agriculture don’t just extend to crop performance; pest species will also be affected. In this week’s episode, Lynn Sosnoskie returns to talk about implications for weed management. Thank you to the Almond, Pistachio, Prune, and Walnut Boards of California for their kind donations. Thank you to Muriel Gordon for the music. The views, thoughts, and opinions expressed are the speaker’s own and do not represent the views, thoughts, and opinions of the University of California. The material and information presented here is for general information purposes only.  The "University of California" name and all forms and abbreviations are the property of its owner and its use does not imply endorsement of or opposition to any specific organization, product, or service.

Almond production creates a lot of byproduct. While there are some alternative uses for almond hulls and shells, like livestock feed and bedding, there is still not enough demand to utilize all the biomass created every year. Some growers have been accepting almond hulls and shells from processors to help them get rid of these stockpiles, and using them as mulch in orchards. Ellie Andrews examined how using hulls and shells benefits almond orchards, including their potential as potassium fertilizer, and how they affect soil health. The views, thoughts, and opinions expressed are the speaker’s own and do not represent the views, thoughts, and opinions of the University of California. The material and information presented here is for general information purposes only. The "University of California" name and all forms and abbreviations are the property of its owner and its use does not imply endorsement of or opposition to any specific organization, product, or service. Follow us on Twitter! @SacOrchards and @SJVtandv Thank you to the Almond, Pistachio, Prune, and Walnut Boards of California for their kind donations. Thank you to Muriel Gordon for the music. Come to an upcoming extension meeting! Sacramento Valley The 2026 North Sac Valley Olive Day is on Tuesday March 24 And the Nickels Field Day is on Tuesday May 19 San Joaquin Valley (scroll to the bottom) Madera/Merced Pistachio Day is on Wednesday March 18

Today on the podcast we’ll be discussing Red Leaf Blotch a new invasive disease in California almond production.

Like many fruiting orchard crops, olives benefit from boron fertilization. Elizabeth Fichtner (UCCE Tulare County) goes over how olives benefit from fertilization, as well as how to manage boron in olive orchards. The episode transcript can be found on the episode page. You can sign up for the Rice Production Workshop here. Find out more about upcoming meetings in the San Joaquin Valley (scroll to the bottom) and the Sacramento Valley. Mention of pesticide use does not constitute a pesticide recommendation. Always follow the pesticide label. Find out more at ipm.ucanr.edu/. Thank you to the Almond, Pistachio, Prune, and Walnut Boards of California for their kind donations. Thank you to Muriel Gordon for the music. The views, thoughts, and opinions expressed are the speaker’s own and do not represent the views, thoughts, and opinions of the University of California. The material and information presented here is for general information purposes only.  The "University of California" name and all forms and abbreviations are the property of its owner and its use does not imply endorsement of or opposition to any specific organization, product, or service.