Disease Management for California Almond Production [2024]

OVERVIEW

California almonds are susceptible to many diseases, which can reduce crop yield and quality in both current and subsequent years. They also can weaken and, occasionally, kill trees. Almond diseases are caused by a wide variety of microorganisms including fungi, bacteria, and viruses. They also can result from certain environmental stresses or genetic disorders. Some occur only at particular times of the year; others remain in the tree and exhibit yearlong symptoms. Disease infections may be more or less severe depending on age of the tree, variety, and environmental conditions such as rainfall, temperature, humidity, soil type, and soil moisture content. In order to fully understand the impact of disease organisms and environmental conditions on almond trees, it's important to understand the tree's seasonal cycle, growth processes, and crop development. The purpose of this course is to provide an update on current diseases that occur in California almonds--everything from branch and root diseases to vascular disorders--and the latest disease management practices that can protect valuable orchards and crops.

Course Features

Lectures 9
Questions 20
Duration 1 h (approx)

COURSE OUTLINE
- Introduction
  
  2 min.
- The Basics of Disease Prevention
  
  4 min.
- Branch, Foliar & Fruit Diseases
  
  10 min.
- Jacket Rot and Leaf Blight
  
  4 min.
- Rust and Shot Hole
  
  5 min.
- Root and Crown Rots
  
  5 min.
- Trunk and Branch Diseases
  
  4 min.
- Diseases of the Vascular System
  
  7 min.
- Bud Failure Disorders
  
  2 min.

CREDIT INFORMATION

This course is accredited by:

California Department of Pesticide Regulation (1.5 hours Other)
Certified Crop Adviser (CCA) Accredited in U.S. and Canada (1.5 hours IPM)

It is accredited for licensing categories: PCAs, Qualified Applicators, Private Applicators, Aerial Applicators, and County Permit Holders.

CONTRIBUTORS

Thank you to J.E. Adaskaveg, Ph.D., Professor, Department of Plant Pathology, University of California, Riverside; Brent Holtz, Ph.D., former University of California Pomology Farm Advisor Madera County who is now UCCE county director and pomology farm advisor in San Joaquin County; G. T. Browne, Ph.D., USDA-ARS, Department of Plant Pathology, University of Calif. Davis; Themis J. Michailides, Ph.D., Department of Plant Pathology, University of California, Davis and Kearney Agricultural Research and Extension Center, Parlier, for research leading to the development of this course; and Bob Curtis, retired Associate Director of Agricultural Affairs, The Almond Board of California, and Dr. Mae Culumber, Nut Crops Farm Advisor, Cooperative Extension Fresno County.

All photos are copyrighted by the Regents of the University of California.