Plant Sciences Commons^™

Managing Drought Stress In California Agricultural Systems, Gregory D. Brittain Jr.

Doctor of Plant Health Program: Dissertations and Student Research

California is currently facing a historic drought, and this has led many farmers in the state to severely cut back on irrigation. Optimal use of water for irrigation requires a comprehensive understanding of how plants respond physiologically to water stress (Chapter 1). By monitoring water requirements in crops and managing irrigation to meet those requirements, growers can significantly reduce water use (Chapter 2). This can be done through improving application efficiency of irrigation technology as well as increasing the water use efficiency of the crops themselves. Deficit irrigation practices can be used to manipulate the physiology of water use in …

A Vision For Extension: Case Studies On Managing Extreme Weather Challenges In Corn, Anthony J. Mcmechan

Doctor of Plant Health Program: Dissertations and Student Research

Global demand for corn is projected to rise in the coming decades to meet the food and fuel requirements of an increasing human population. Technological innovations have significantly improved corn yields over the past few decades; however, corn production is continually limited by unfavorable weather conditions. Extreme weather events put pressure on producers, adjustors, and consultants to make quick management decisions to maintain the highest return on their investment. Proper management decisions require an understanding of plant response and practical ways of applying this knowledge under real world conditions.

The following document was written after completing a six-month internship at …

Root Hydraulic Conductance In Malosma Laurina Experiencing Severe Dieback In The Santa Monica Mountains, Natalie M. Aguirre 5861995, Avery Davis, Sarah Nelson

Seaver College Research And Scholarly Achievement Symposium

Malosma laurina is a dominant species in coastal chaparral ecosystems The deep root systems of M. laurina provide structural support for the steep Santa Monica Mountains and allow M. laurina to tap into the deep water table. M. laurina dieback is prevalent in coastal exposures of the SMM, presumably due to historic drought predisposing plant tissues to infection by the fungal pathogen Botryosphaeria dothidea. In ecosystems that experience annual dry periods, a high hydraulic conductance in roots is necessary to provide plants with sufficient water. A recent study has examined the effect of Botryosphaeria on the hydraulic conductance of M. …