|Growers drilled more wells due to the severe drought.|
|An aerial view of the salinity issue in the Valley.|
|The drought stressed many almond trees.|
UC experts say almond growers can apply gypsum to reduce sodium levels. It also improves the soil structure to help with leaching.Growers should consult with the certified crop advisers about using calcium-type amendments in the water.
Meanwhile in the fields, field scout Carlos Silva says more cotton plants have developed their first squares and pests counts are in check. But he notes he’s finding “lots of lygus” in nearby alfalfa fields. Fields harvested early this month are growing quickly in this warming weather and don’t be surprised to see growers cutting these fields sometime this week.
That means lygus bugs in these harvested fields will lose their habitat and look for a new home – most likely the young cotton fields. That could mean trouble for the developing cotton squares. Once again, Carlos reminds alfalfa growers to start leaving strips of uncut alfalfa to provide habitat for lygus.