Project Description
Soils & Nutrients
Featured stories about soils and nutrients appear in this issue.
Puzzling outbreak
Adult beetles have dark reddish brown or black heads, and the body is covered with short gray hairs. A mysterious outbreak of an endemic pest
Volatile prices
Fertilizer costs have come down from last year's heart-stopping prices, but don't expect prices to stay down. Price volatility should continue through 2009 and the
A more sustainable strategy
There are several ways in which orchardists can develop a more sustainable approach to nitrogen fertility. Fortunately, tree fruit production requires relatively modest inputs of
Good Point – David Granatstein
Nitrogen is a plentiful element in the biosphere, accounting for 78 percent of the air around us. It is essential for life, being a building
Managing nitrogen
Nitrogen management is important in all wine grapes, but even more so in white varieties because of its association with fruit flavor compounds. But how
Good Point – Ed Wittenbach
In my lifetime, change has been inevitable: from five-acre orchards to 500-acre orchards or larger; from small, family-owned stores to mega supermarkets; and from local
Nematodes in Washington
The following is a brief description of nematode species found in Washington vineyards. In general, nematodes weaken the root system, can cause secondary infections due
Work in progress
When dealing with nematodes, Washington State vineyardists need two things they currently lack: more effective control strategies and meaningful economic thresholds to guide them in
Soil or tissue test?
What is the best way for Washington State grape growers to analyze nitrogen levels in their vineyard? Washington State University soil scientist Dr. Joan Davenport
Stop puncturevine
Seedling puncturevine leaves pictured at top have hairs on each leaflet. Spiny fruit, below, have the punctures that break into Puncturevine, a noxious
Good to Know – Julie Tarara
Trellising and training in vineyards represent money and effort invested to maximize canopy photosynthesis and to optimize solar radiation exposure at the fruit. Canopies that
Cover crops for the desert
This photo of a five-year planting of the Canada mix cover crop shows how it goes dormant in the summer. It can be tough to
To fertilize or not?
Reasons to fertilize your crop may range from indications that the plant is deficient, you want yield or quality that you once had, or you
Nematodes in your kitchen
Facial tissues, a small mesh screen, and a small dish are all that's needed to perform a quick nematode soil analysis. A quick and easy
Europe is growing fewer apples
Apple production is declining in several European countries. Italy, France, Germany, and the United Kingdom all are producing fewer apples than they were a decade
WSU reorganizes Extension
In an effort to cut costs, improve efficiency, and better serve production agriculture, Washington State University is merging Extension into the College of Agricultural, Human
Choosing the right cherry rootstock
Many factors need to be taken into account when choosing rootstocks for a new cherry orchard. Soil fertility, variety, and training system are some of
Green light for Kanzi
Kanzi matures about the same time as Golden Delicious. The fruit is larger than Gala and stores well. Golden Delicious is the standard by which
Profitability lies in marketing
Italian apple growers have managed to stay in business by improving production efficiency. But Kurt Werth, who was for many years a leader with the
Poland is well situated
Historically, Poland was not in an enviable position, located between Germany to the West and Russia to the East. During the Second World War, the
Frequent frosts and freezes
In Poland's main apple-growing region, south of Warsaw, frosts and freezes are a fact of life, according to Dr. Augustyn Mika, professor at the Research
Last Bite – Royal purple reigns
Purple tissue wrap enhanced Holtzinger apples and inspired a new line of labels. Charles M. Holtzinger (more familiarly known as C.M. Holtzinger) was one of
New market direction
"Fun size" Gala apples packed in Poland for major UK supermarket. Poland has traditionally been a supplier of cheap apples to Russia, but its entry
Poland's American connection
Poland's number-one apple variety, Idared, is a legacy from an educational exchange between Poland and the United States that began during the Communist era. Dr.