There are oftentimes periods in the spring and summer where temperatures suddenly climb, with a 25 degree or more increase versus the previous day. This often produces temperatures exceeding 100 degrees. By the time cool weather returns, the heat wave has devastated the delicate, young tissues of plants. Commonly affected species are plants include Japanese…
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Plant Diseases
Preventing Heat Stress in White Birch Trees
White birch trees (Betula alba) can be a beautiful addition to a landscape. However, and especially in the hot Central Valley, they will frequently suffer the symptoms of heat stress, sometimes incurring severe sunburning of the shoot tips and limbs. Nematodes—rather than weather—are a prime contributor to the effects of heat stress in birch trees….
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The History of Nematodes and Their Impact on Agriculture
When we hear the word ‘nematode,’ many of us conjure up a picture of a worm or some other snake-like organism. The term is derived from the Greek, nemato, which literally translates to ‘thread-like.’ These organisms are members of the animal kingdom, among other multicellular invertebrates (animals without a backbone). But nematodes—also known as roundworms—are…
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