California’s San Joaquin Valley produces an enormous share of the nation’s fruits, nuts and vegetables. But it takes an unsustainable amount of groundwater to do it. New state rules aimed at reducing groundwater use are expected to force up to 20 percent of the valley’s irrigated fields out of production – a blow to farmers and communities.
UC Davis research shows that no-till, drill-seeded rice can cut water use by over 15%, saving growers money while reducing evaporation. Field trials explore pest management, weed control, and planting strategies to improve sustainability and yield.
Loren Oki, UC Davis professor emeritus, retired after 29 years of research on water conservation, pesticide management, and nursery production. His work influenced state policies and industry practices, earning him induction into the Green Industry Hall of Fame.
Lorence Oki's research on water-efficient roses reveals cultivars that stay aesthetically pleasing with minimal irrigation. His trials, part of the Climate-Ready Landscape Plants project, help develop low-water options for sustainable landscaping.
UC Davis researchers Amelie Gaudin and Jeffrey Mitchell, along with their team, were honored for showing that winter cover crops can improve soil health with minimal impact on groundwater use. Their work supports sustainable farming practices in California's Central Valley.
New research from UC Davis reveals that soil water availability plays a larger role in plant water use efficiency than nitrogen. The study, published in Nature Communications, improves understanding of plant development amid climate change.
Giulia Marino, a crop physiologist, is the new UC Cooperative Extension (UCCE) Specialist in Orchard Systems, and a faculty member in the Department of Plant Sciences at the University of California, Davis (UC Davis). She is primarily based at the UC Kearney Agricultural Research and Extension Center in Parlier, California, and has a second office in Wickson Hall at UC Davis.
