UC Researchers Study Organic Alternatives to Soil Fumigants

California Agriculture Methyl Bromide Special Issue

The UC California Agriculture magazine reports this month on field research into alternatives to Methyl Bromide and other dangerous soil fumigants. Soil fumigation is needed in large scale agriculture for production of strawberries, nut crops and nursery stock. The fumigants commonly used include Methyl Bromide, a soil sterilant tied to ozone layer depletion and chloropicrin, a chemical linked to cancer. These and other sterilants are volatile and drift away from the fields, often into adjacent housing.

Practices and regulations have tried to define safe buffer zones around fumigated fields, but ever expanding housing and public outcry over chemical exposure dangers are forcing changes in the industry practices.

The UC report examined everything from reducing exposure to eliminating MB use entirely. They examined films covering the fields to retain the vapors released. These films reduced the chemicals needed and reduced, but did not eliminate, emissions.

One promising, but expansive, method is steam-sterilization. Heating the soil to 150 degrees for a short period seems to work as well as fumigation, but is 5 times as expensive as chemical treatments.

Scientists also studied soil-less growing in Coir (coconut husk fibers), pea-moss, wood chips and other sterile media. The problem is this isn’t sustainable, needs drip irrigation, continuous chemical monitoring and nutrient adjustments, plus the overhead of obtaining, distributing and disposing of the substrate after a season.

Research has shown a promising and organic method of soil sterilization that rivals the nastiest of ag chemicals but is 100% organic and toxin free. This is called ‘anaerobic soil disinfestation’. The method has had varying success in wide-spread trials but is somewhat dependent on technique, soil and weather.

The ground to be cleaned is charged with a high-carbon diet. In trials conducted in Modesto, rice chaff was available and what was used. In the Oxnard area, onion processing waste could be used as well as other agricultural waste products.

This material is incorporated into the soil which is then saturated with water. Once it is saturated, the soil is covered with a clear poly cover. The carbon material quickly consumes the available oxygen and the soil goes into an anaerobic state.

The anaerobic bacteria devour many the common targets of soil sterilization – nematodes, root diseases and many weed seeds – and seems as effective as chemical applications.

Extending the time the field remains tarped, and under favorable weather conditions, the poly-covered soil can be ‘solarized’, or heated by the sun hot enough to kill soil-borne pests. The still-wet soil is heated, the heat trapped under the clear poly film, and the pests are effectively cooked.

This technique appeals to the sustainable gardener. You can adapt to your locally sourced materials. Oleg Daugovish, Ventura County Farm Advisor says, “Florida used composted chicken manure and molasses and it worked for them”, the goes on to suggest a local option of “onion waste which is rather watery but is free and we had some good preliminary results with it.”

This article originally appeared in Newswire.net Aug.8, 2013

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For more on this article..
http://gardening-coaches.com/uc-researchers-study-organic-alternatives-soil-fumigants/

Californians Invited to Participate in Day of Citizen Science May 8

UCCE Invites Californians to Participate in Day of Citizen Science May 8

For more on this article..
http://gardening-coaches.com/californians-invited-participate-day-citizen-science-8/

Carol Haverty Leads Welcome to the Garden Classes March 13 and 20

Carol Haverty, Camarillo Garden Guide Presents Welcome to the Garden

For more on this article..
http://gardening-coaches.com/carol-haverty-leads-garden-classes-pvrpd-march-13-march-20/

California Agriculture Facing $2 Billion Losses as Wells Run Dry

California Agriculture Facing $2 Billion Losses as Wells Run Dry

For more on this article..
http://gardening-coaches.com/california-agriculture-facing-2-billion-losses-as-wells-run-dry/

California Agriculture Facing $2 Billion Losses as Wells Run Dry

Local wells begin to run dry as growers and cities turn to disappearing ground water as drought continues. Groundwater situation in California called “a slow-moving train wreck.”

Californians fell short of 20% water reduction called for by Governor Brown. The 5% voluntary reduction was not enough to hold off mandatory state-wide water restrictions. Many California counties have already imposed mandatory water saving plans complete with enforcement officers, home inspections and the specter of $100 fines for first time offenders.

Extreme drought covers 80 percent of the state and its effects are being felt in the Central Valley and costal agricultural areas.

Drought Conditions Create California’s Modern Dust-Bowl

Drought has affected the entire west coast from Alaska where they report the driest year on record to the southwest U.S. where the Colorado River water originates. El Nino conditions have been hoped for but a single year of El Nino rain is unlikely reverse the shrinking water table.

Doug Parker, director at University of California Institute for Water Resources says, “We really need to be prepared for more drought.” The mechanics of warming water and air affecting global air circulation are complex and declaring an El Nino condition does not guarantee a wet year.

El Ninos do affect weather patterns but move rainfall unpredictably; some produce wetter years, some drier years. Mr. Parker says, “There’s a pattern of dry years happening so there’s a higher probability that next year will be a dry one.”

The University of California’s UCDavis Center for Watershed Sciences’ recent report says the current drought is responsible for the greatest water loss ever seen in California agriculture – about one third less than normal.

The report says much of the “overdraft is a recent phenomenon caused by agriculture expanding into former rangelands … or irrigation systems that rely on groundwater that lacks recharge from streams”.

Past droughts have brought about legislation to protect water supplies, but previous efforts lacked both direction and teeth. This February, Governor Brown signed Water Action Plan which calls for swift legislative action on groundwater management.

Besides the mandatory cuts in supplied state water and reduced limits on groundwater extraction imposed on the water districts, studies are underway to duplicate the ‘settling grounds’ that have been used to recharge Ventura County’s aquifers for the last half century.

The impact of using low-lying agricultural land for the water spreading and percolation, or “Water Banking”, is currently under study. Issues of pesticide and agricultural chemicals are already finding their way into domestic water supplies.

Hundreds of thousands of acre feet (the amount of water needed to cover an acre in 1 foot of water) could be ‘banked’ from flood run-off as well as river and stream excesses. The proposal envisions using the existing water distribution systems to put the water into dormant agricultural properties. A 3 year study underway by UC Agricultural and Natural Recourses is addressing concerns over possible contamination of groundwater from the field contaminants.

The ANR News blog reports author Richard Howitt saying, “A key concern is the loss of agricultural jobs. What really hurts is you are also losing 17,000 jobs”. Howitt noted, “(These jobs) are from a sector that has the least ability to roll with the punches.”

State-wide cost of the drought from lost wages, income, local economies and lost production will total $2.2 Billion.

For more on this article..
http://gardening-coaches.com/california-agriculture-facing-2-billion-losses-as-wells-run-dry/

Voluntary Cutbacks Fall Short As California Drought Deepens

A recent report in CNN’s online edition says California’s water woes are not going away. California’s residents and businesses are facing water shortages and – although the water districts don’t like using the ‘R’ word – rationing.

Recent reports issued by the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration say a possible El Nino year may not be enough to break the drought. Even though there is an 80% chance of the next winter being an El Nino, only 1 El Nino in 7 has the power to alleviate California’s current water shortage.

Replenishing California’s water is not just a matter of refilling the drying lakes and reservoirs which are now at 20% capacity. To make up for the reduced water supplies at the state level, local agencies and farmers are pumping additional ground water for irrigation.

In a January message, Gov. Jerry Brown asked residents to cut their water use by 20%. However, California’s most recent drought report shows residents have only achieved a five percent reduction.

Doug Parker, director at University of California Institute for Water Resources says, “We really need to be prepared for more drought.”

Because of the mechanics of warming water and air affecting global air circulation, the El Nino condition does not guarantee a wet year. Mr. Parker says, “There’s a pattern of dry years happening so there’s a higher probability that next year will be a dry one.”

During dry years when water supplies are restricted, ground water is pumped from aquifers to make up water needed for both domestic and agricultural needs. Pumping out more ground water than is available to recharge the aquifers leads to salt water intrusions. The salt contaminates the remaining ground water, often making it unfit for drinking or irrigation.

El Nino conditions bring heavier precipitation just 1/3 of the time. Recent El Nino storms in 1982-83 and 1997-98 brought torrential rains, flooding and heavy destruction but still did not restore the ground water. Parker’s concerns are echoed by Mike Dettinger, USGS Hydrologist and research associate at Scripps Institution of Oceanography.

The wet / dry El Nino / La Nina cycle is thrown out of balance in already droughted years.  Mike Dettinger warns, “In a major drought situation like the past two years, it is more important to think about the range of El Nino outcomes than to depend on an average.”

“We’ve gotten our driest years and our wettest years from El Niño,” said Mr. Dettinger. His recent published report suggests it would take one of the strongest El Ninos for the last 80 years to make up for the previous deficits years that have drained the ground water and reservoirs.

Formation of the El Nino condition requires the trade winds die down long enough for the condition to grow and strengthen and push heated moist air into California. Climate change has already upset the trade winds and heating cooling patterns. NOAA’s Climate Prediction Center won’t declare an official El Niño until the increase in sea surface temperature, measured by buoys in the eastern Pacific, averages more than 0.5 degrees Celsius for five consecutive three-month periods.

For further reading see:

http://insideclimatenews.org/news/20140710/relieve-drought-california-strong-el-nino-needed

http://ucanr.edu/blogs/blogcore/postdetail.cfm?postnum=14593

http://tenaya.ucsd.edu/~dettinge/deficit_figs.html

How to Install a Drip Irrigation System

For more on this article..
http://gardening-coaches.com/voluntary-cutbacks-fall-short-california-drought-deepens/

Water Shortages Will Bring Higher Water Prices

Water Restriction Loom as Governor Brown’s 20% water reduction plan for California falls short. 3rd year of extreme drought covers 80 percent of the state. El Nino not a likely savior as water supplies shrink and state heads for driest year on record.

California’s water woes are not going away. Recent reports issued by the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration say a possible El Nino year may not be enough to break the drought. Even though there is an 80% chance of the next winter being an El Nino, only 1 El Nino in 7 has the power to alleviate California’s current water shortage.

Replenishing California’s water is not just a matter of refilling the drying lakes and reservoirs which are now at 20% capacity. To make up for the reduced water supplies at the state level, local agencies and farmers are pumping additional ground water for irrigation.

In a January message, Gov. Jerry Brown asked residents to cut their water use by 20%. However,California’s most recent drought report shows residents have only achieved a five percent reduction.

Doug Parker, director at University of California Institute for Water Resources says, “We really need to be prepared for more drought.”

Because of the mechanics of warming water and air affecting global air circulation, the El Nino condition does not guarantee a wet year. Mr. Parker says, “There’s a pattern of dry years happening so there’s a higher probability that next year will be a dry one.”

Lake Shasta Going Dry

During dry years when water supplies are restricted, ground water is pumped from aquifers to make up water needed for both domestic and agricultural needs. Pumping out more ground water than is available to recharge the aquifers leads to salt water intrusions. The salt contaminates the remaining ground water, often making it unfit for drinking or irrigation.

El Nino conditions bring heavier precipitation just 1/3 of the time. Recent El Nino storms in 1982-83 and 1997-98 brought torrential rains, flooding and heavy destruction but still did not restore the ground water. Parker’s concerns are echoed by Mike Dettinger, USGS Hydrologist and research associate at Scripps Institution of Oceanography.

The wet / dry El Nino / La Nina cycle is thrown out of balance in already droughted years.  Mike Dettinger warns, “In a major drought situation like the past two years, it is more important to think about the range of El Nino outcomes than to depend on an average.”

“We’ve gotten our driest years and our wettest years from El Niño,” said Mr. Dettinger. His recent published report suggests it would take one of the strongest El Ninos for the last 80 years to make up for the previous deficits years that have drained the ground water and reservoirs.

Formation of the El Nino condition requires the trade winds die down long enough for the condition to grow and strengthen and push heated moist air into California. Climate change has already upset the trade winds and heating cooling patterns. NOAA’s Climate Prediction Center won’t declare an official El Niño until the increase in sea surface temperature, measured by buoys in the eastern Pacific, averages more than 0.5 degrees Celsius for five consecutive three-month periods. 

Examination of Google Patent Used to Explain Recent Odd Search Results

Study Examines Google Agent Rank Patent

March 23, 2014 By Mike Taylor

Two of the net’s nagging questions of late have been, “Why are some authors more visible than others?” and “Why do some people get better results than others doing the same thing on the same platform?”

Those questions have been answered in a comprehensive study of Google patents and statements from Google conducted byJoshua Berg in a blog post released last week called “Agent Rank is here! The Google+ Verified Entities Authority Blueprint”.

Google’s ‘Agent Rank’ Patent

The report shows that each author or page in Google+ carries its own “Agent Rank”, and this ranking reflects the agent’s (the author, page, reviewer, etc.) reputation based on authenticity, content they are connected with and the context within which their authority is viewed.

Joshua points to the following paragraph “buried deep inside the document” which reveals the type of algorithm we’re talking about here (bolding added for emphasis):

The ‘only the good parts‘ version:

… an agent’s reputation (is) based on the content bearing the agent’s signature.

You are being judged by the material you put out under your name (signature)

… an agent’s reputation can be determined from the extrinsic relationships between agents as well as content…

Your rank, or the measure of your authority, is also related to the scores of people you associate yourself with and who refer to your work.

an agent should have a higher reputational score … if the content signed by the agent is frequently referenced by other agents or content.

The more popular your material is, the more often it is read, shared, bookmarked or commented on, then the more authority your agent (persona) is given.

Not all references, … are of equal significance. (an) agent with a high reputational score is of greater significance than … another agent with a low reputational score.

High scores mean high influence. ‘Nuff said?

Thus, the reputation of a particular agent … should depend not just on the number of references to the content signed by the particular agent, but on the importance of the referring documents and other agents.

This implies the 30,000 fake views from Fiverr gigs probably are not given much credence.

The reputation of a particular agent is a function of the reputation of the content and agents which refer to it.

There it is – right out in the clear. Your authority, you ability to appear in search, your ability to be notice on the internet is dependent on the content you produce and connect yourslf with and on the reputations of those you associate with.

The original paragraph:

In one implementation, an agent’s reputation can be derived using a relative ranking algorithm, e.g., Google’s PageRank as set forth in U.S. Pat. No. 6,285,999, based on the content bearing the agent’s signature. Using such an algorithm, an agent’s reputation can be determined from the extrinsic relationships between agents as well as content. Intuitively, an agent should have a higher reputational score, regardless of the content signed by the agent, if the content signed by the agent is frequently referenced by other agents or content. Not all references, however, are necessarily of equal significance. For example, a reference by another agent with a high reputational score is of greater significance than a reference by another agent with a low reputational score. Thus, the reputation of a particular agent, and therefore the reputational score assigned to the particular agent, should depend not just on the number of references to the content signed by the particular agent, but on the importance of the referring documents and other agents. This implies a recursive definition: the reputation of a particular agent is a function of the reputation of the content and agents which refer to it.

‘Agent Rank’ agents include authors, publishers, editors and reviewers.

Although “Author Rank” is not used in the Google patents, it is the term used commonly. ‘Author Rank’ is a misleading term as the ramifications go beyond just authors.

For example, the fabled “Super Reviewers” do exist – and they are people with the credibility needed to affect business reviews. The existence of ‘super reviewers’ was proposed late last year by the shadowy “Comrade Ivan” during closed-door Mastermind discussions. His testing indicated it was possible to become a super-reviewer through constant and relentless reviewing.

Recent changes to Google Maps feature the ability to show only reviews by ‘Top Reviewers’.

Now we know why this is, and also know that the agent rank goes far beyond just personal search.

Joshua’s analysis also pointed out, “Google has a newer patent that offers another look at what they value, one that covers the credibility of an author (or agent) (Reputation scoring of an author – United States Patent: 8,645,396 ).

“…An authentication score is determined for a contributor of the multiple contributors. The contributor’s name and a representation of the contributor’s authentication score is published online for display on one or more second computers in association with the online content received from the contributor.

This “authentication score” refers to how ‘real’ you appear.

“…determining by the computer server system, a reputation score for an author of the online content item, wherein the reputation score is based at least in part on reviews of the online content item that have been provided by one or more authors other than the author;

“The method of claim 1, further comprising: determining, by the computer server system, a credibility score for the author of the online content item by obtaining personal information about the author that relates to education or employment of the author and verifying that the received personal information about the author is accurate; and adjusting the ranking of the author based on the determined credibility score.”

Simply put, and straight from the source:

“The true cost of remaining anonymous, then, might be irrelevance.”

– Google Chairman Eric Schmidt (Feb, 2013)

Agent Rank is the Plus in Google+

The ramifications are immense for online advertisers, SEOs, publicity agents and about anyone who wants to be seen on the internet. The old gambit of a robot army of fake accounts is going away. Good-bye Fiverr gigs. The authority of those fake accounts will be judged and found wanting. Your reputation and authority will be assigned accordingly.

 

Portions of this appeared previously in LinkedIn. Thanks to Joshua Berg of RealSMO.com

 

Is Los Angeles County’s Plastic Bag Ban Bad For the Environment?

Los Angeles County businessman Hayden Hess questions the wisdom of L.A. County’s new ban on plastic bags.

In the LA Times, LA City Council members are quoted as saying, “City Council members cited concerns that the flimsy disposable bags often end up on city streets and eventually find their way to the ocean, where they threaten fish and wildlife.”

Hayden Hess, Businessman

According to Mr. Hess, in an article in Newswire, “This is not the first ban on a plastic item. Similar plastic bag bans have been implemented in San Francisco, California, as well as Portland, Oregon. New York City is in the process of a ban on disposable plastic-foam food containers. If passed, this law would ban any use of foam styrene (Styrofoam) containers in the food industry. The law is set to take effect on July 1^st, 2015. The plastic ban is not just in the United States either. Modbury, England, was the first town to ban plastic bags in England”.

The article points out that plastic bags use less energy and much less natural resources to produce than the traditional paper bag. “The small amount of plastic used (actual weight) to produce a plastic bag is so low in comparison to paper sacks, and the long term reusability of a plastic bag, paper bags have become less popular.”

The article concludes with a plea for recycling and common sense – the lack of which is the real basis for pollution.

Read the whole article here.

Blurred Vision in One Eye Brings Editor to his Knees

Blurred VIsion in One Eye Brings Editor to his Knees

My story of sudden blurred vision in one eye – and how it crippled me until it was cured. A vein in the retina was blocked, and my eye wasn’t getting the blood flow it needed. It was also swollen so what light landed on it was out of focus.

The reduced blood flow affected my eye act like a hand or foot when it goes to sleep. My optic nerve was experiencing that same feeling, that buzzing, burning, foot-asleep sensation. My sudden loss of vision left me with a non-stop light show, without depth perception, unable to read and deeply confused.

Click here to continue reading about blurred vision in one eye and its cure.