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Abstract

More than 300 accessions of Lactuca spp. recently collected in the Mediterranean region and California were screened for resistance to downy mildew (Bremia lactucae Regel). Accessions were evaluated in the seedling stage with two isolates of B. lactucae, which together have virulence to all known resistance factors. Four accessions demonstrated complete resistance to both isolates, indicating that new resistance was present. This resistance was confirmed using further isolates of B. lactucae. None of these lines, however, was resistant to all the isolates used.

Intensive production of cool-season vegetables has contributed to nitrate pollution of groundwater along the central coast of California. Broccoli (Brassica oleracea L. var. italica), cabbage (Brassica oleracea L. var. capitata), and cauliflower (Brassica oleracea L. var. botrytis) are important crops in this region, but few data are available regarding the nitrogen dynamics of these cole crops under current production practices, and whether those practices are protective of groundwater. Monitoring was conducted in 14 commercial broccoli, 8 cabbage, and 8 cauliflower fields evaluating crop growth, rooting depth, N uptake and partitioning, patterns of soil N availability, and current N fertilization and irrigation practices. Aboveground biomass N at harvest averaged 367, 367, and 319 kg·ha⁻¹ for broccoli, cabbage, and cauliflower, respectively, with mean N fertilization rates of 209, 280, and 256 kg·ha⁻¹. The relatively small fraction of biomass N removed at harvest with cauliflower (23%) and broccoli (31%) resulted in a low partial N balance (PNB) of 30% and 57%, respectively, compared with cabbage (PNB of 70%). Rooting depth increased throughout the growing season, reaching ≈1 m by harvest, with about 70% of roots located in the top 40 cm in all crops. Soil mineral N (SMN; 0- to 30-cm depth) varied among fields, with the early-season median value of 18 mg·kg⁻¹ declining to 5 mg·kg⁻¹ by harvest. Seasonal N application was not correlated with early-season SMN. Irrigation applied, predominately through sprinklers, averaged >200% of estimated crop evapotranspiration. Substantial N mineralization from broccoli residue was observed within 2–3 months following fall incorporation, with potential NO₃-N leaching losses exceeding 100 kg·ha⁻¹ in both monitored fields. We conclude that improved irrigation management, adjusting N rates based on residual SMN, and employing a remediation practice such as cover cropping to limit winter NO₃-N leaching losses could substantially improve N efficiency in cole crop production.

Estimation of crop evapotranspiration supports efficient irrigation water management, which in turn supports water conservation, mitigation of groundwater depletion/degradation, energy savings, and crop quality maintenance. Past research in California has revealed strong relationships between fraction of the ground covered by photosynthetically active vegetation (Fc), crop coefficients (Kc), and evapotranspiration (ET) of cool-season vegetables and other specialty crops. Replicated irrigation trials for iceberg lettuce and broccoli were performed during 2012 and 2013 at the USDA Agricultural Research Station in Salinas, CA. The main objective was to compare crop yield and quality from ET-based irrigation scheduling with industry standard practice. Sprinkler irrigation was used to germinate and establish the crops, followed by surface drip irrigation during the treatment period. Each experiment compared three irrigation treatment schedules replicated five times in a randomized block design. Two decision-support models were evaluated as follows: 1) an FAO-56-based algorithm embedded in NASA’s prototype Satellite Information Management System (SIMS) based on observed Fc, and 2) CropManage (CM), an online database-driven irrigation scheduling tool based on modeled Fc. Both methods used daily reference ETo data from the California Irrigation Management Irrigation System (CIMIS) to translate Kc to crop ET, with a target of 100% replacement of water use during the drip irrigation phase. A third treatment followed an irrigation schedule representing grower standard practice (SP) at 150% to 175% ET replacement during the drip irrigation phase. No significant treatment differences were seen in lettuce head weight or total biomass. Marketable yields of lettuce (near 45.4 Mg·ha⁻¹) and broccoli (near 17.4 Mg·ha⁻¹) were in-line with industry averages during both years and all treatments. During 2012, CM yield was below lettuce SP, and above broccoli SP, while in 2013 no treatment differences were detected for either crop. No significant differences were detected between SIMS and SP yields during any trial.

The impact of strawberry production on nitrate contamination of groundwater is of major concern in the central coast region of California. Nitrogen (N) fertilization and irrigation management practices were monitored in a total of 26 fall-planted annual strawberry (Fragaria ×ananassa Duch.) fields in 2010 and 2011. Soil mineral N (SMN, top 30 cm depth) was determined monthly. Irrigation applied was monitored, and crop evapotranspiration (ET_c) was estimated. Growers were surveyed regarding their N fertilization practices. Aboveground biomass N accumulation was estimated by monthly plant sampling in seven fields. The effect of preplant controlled-release fertilizer (CRF) rate on fruit yield was investigated in three fields. The growers’ CRF application rate (121 or 86 kg·ha⁻¹ N as 18N–3.5P–10.8K, 7- to 9-month release rating) was compared with a half rate (all fields) and no CRF in one field. The rate of N release from this CRF product was evaluated using a buried bag technique. Median CRF N and total seasonal N application (CRF + in-season fertigation through drip irrigation) were 101 and 260 kg·ha⁻¹, respectively, with total seasonal N application varying among fields from 141 to 485 kg·ha⁻¹. Biomass N accumulation was slow through March (less than 25 kg·ha⁻¹) and then increased by ≈1.1 kg·ha⁻¹·d⁻¹ from April through mid-September. Mean seasonal biomass N accumulation was estimated at 225 kg·ha⁻¹ by 15 Sept. Approximately 70% of CRF N was released before 1 Apr. Biomass N accumulation between planting and April was much lower than the combined amount of CRF N release and SMN decline over that period, suggesting substantial winter N loss. Conversely, N loss during the summer harvest season (May through August) appeared limited in most fields. Median SMN was maintained below 10 mg·kg⁻¹, and median irrigation was 113% of estimated ET_c during this period. Reduction in CRF rate did not affect marketable fruit yield in two of three trials; an 8% yield reduction was observed in the remaining trial when the CRF rate was reduced, but the decline may have been affected by spring irrigation and fertigation practices.