Walnut trees don't need water early in the season. UC Davis scientists are field-testing a new method that lets the trees tell farmers when to start irrigation, saving time, money and a precious resource.
Central Valley pistachio farmer and industry leader Rod Stiefvater is donating more than $335,000 to develop new rootstocks that will thrive under changing climate conditions.
Department researchers are revealing important ways that universities, government agencies and other support organizations can help our food producers develop resilience to environmental challenges and remain profitable.
The people who produce our food need support -- especially in the areas of mental and physical well-being -- to recover from increasingly widespread wildfire, scientists have found. Postdoctoral researcher Natalia Pinzon Jimenez suggests the federal Farm Bill could help by funding programs for producers.
The inaugural Global Food Systems Research Day, held Oct. 24 at UC Davis, underscored the role of scientists in the UC Davis Department of Plant Sciences in the effort to build sustainable agricultural and distribution systems providing nutritious and affordable food to people all over the world.
A new facility to be built east of the UC Davis campus highlights the partnership between the university – including the Department of Plant Sciences – and national agencies to confront challenges faced by consumers and the agriculture industry.
At a Kenya event, the African Orphan Crops Consortium planted a jackfruit tree to symbolize food security and peace. UC Davis' Allen Van Deynze and partners are breeding resilient orphan crops to help small farmers combat climate change and hunger.
UC experts have published “Olive: Production Manual for Oil,” the first U.S. guide for oil olive growers. Covering pruning, irrigation, and harvest timing, the book helps California producers enhance quality and compete in the global market.
A nation-wide project led by Charlie Brummer, a professor in the UC Davis Department of Plant Sciences, has received a grant of $936,000 over the next three years from the Alfalfa Seed and Alfalfa Forage Research Program, within the USDA’s National Institute of Food and Agriculture. Scientists are seeking the genetic basis for breeding new varieties of alfalfa that can withstand the pressures of climate change and evolving pests and disease.
UC Davis researchers are evaluating new herbicides and no-till cultivation methods to address challenges in California rice production, including herbicide resistance, water scarcity, and production costs. Trials indicate potential benefits and trade-offs.
