Inspection Services Blog

Category Archives: All


Research Update: Improving Nitrate and Salinity Management in Almonds

Project Title: “Improving nitrate and salinity management strategies for almonds grown under micro-irrigation” Project Leaders: Patrick Brown (Professor) and Daniela Reineke (PhD student), Department of Plant Sciences, University of California, Davis Location: Statewide Overview: The primary goal of this project is to develop best management practices that allow California almond growers with micro-irrigation, to effectively leach salts while minimizing nitrate …


Research Update: California Fertilization Guidelines

Research Project: Online Fertilization Guidelines for Agricultural Crops in California Project Leaders: Daniel Geisseler (CE Nutrient Management Specialist) and William Horwath (Professor), Department of Land Air and Water Resources, University of California, Davis. Project Status: Completed Project Location: Statewide


Research Update: Plant Nutrients in the Classroom

Project Leaders: Judy Culbertson (Executive Director) and Austin Miller (Communications Program Coordinator), California Foundation for Agriculture in the Classroom Project Status: Completed Project Location: Statewide Overview: As children grow, they begin to form opinions about food production and agriculture, and providing them with the right knowledge can aid their discovery. It is crucial that we equip the next generation with …


Research Update: Nitrogen Fertilizer Loading to Groundwater in the Central Valley

Research Project: Nitrogen Fertilizer Loading to Groundwater in the Central Valley. Thomas Harter et al. Status: Completed Issue: Nitrogen, in the form of nitrate, is the most common pollutant found in Central Valley groundwater. Nitrate has a maximum contaminant level (MCL) in drinking water of 45mg/L (NO3). Under natural conditions, groundwater nitrate may occur in concentrations up to 10mg/L. Nitrate …


Research Update: New Fertigation Book

Research Project: New Fertigation Book Status: Last year of a two year study Issue: There are many fertilizer publications and research papers. However, few of these resources focus on pragmatic chemical applications via irrigation water – especially in light of special California drought conditions. An older publication of FERTIGATION has been an extremely important reference for practitioners in California.  But …


Research Update: Train the Trainer

Research Project: Train the Trainer: A Nitrogen Management Training Program for Growers. Klassen, P. et al. Status: Second year of a three year study Issue: Growers who belong to California’s Central Valley Water Quality Coalitions and who are in designated high vulnerability areas are under new Irrigated Lands Regulatory Program (ILRP) requirements to keep “on farm” a certified Nitrogen Management …