UC Agriculture and Natural Resources

Grape Day shows San Joaquin Valley growers ‘what works in our area, for our crops’

tomwt — Thu, 21 Aug 2025 17:01:39 +0000

Grape Day shows San Joaquin Valley growers ‘what works in our area, for our crops’ tomwt Thu, 08/21/2025 - 10:01 More CNAS in the Media Michael Hsu | UC ANR August 20, 2025

UC ANR - Grape Day at the Kearney Agricultural Research and Extension Center – a time-honored learning event dating to the late 1960s – was convened again on Aug. 12 for wine, table and raisin grape growers to hear about the latest field trials and innovations.

“The primary purpose of Grape Day is to showcase research that University of California faculty, specialists and advisors are doing to benefit the California grape industry, and particularly for growers in the San Joaquin Valley,” said Matthew Fidelibus, UC Cooperative Extension specialist in the UC Davis Department of Viticulture and Enology.

...

At the first stop, Andreas Westphal, professor of Cooperative Extension in the Department of Nematology at UC Riverside, provided an overview on the biology of nematodes – microscopic roundworms that can rob grapevines of vigor and yield.

Then Ashraf El-kereamy, UCCE specialist in the Department of Botany and Plant Sciences at UC Riverside, shared the results of testing two products aimed at mitigating heat stress on table grapes.

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Department of Nematology

Department of Botany & Plant Sciences

UC Agriculture and Natural Resources

UC Riverside CE Specialists, Advisors, and Faculty Showcase Agriculture Research Taking Place at UCR

tomwt — Tue, 15 Apr 2025 16:38:26 +0000

UC Riverside CE Specialists, Advisors, and Faculty Showcase Agriculture Research Taking Place at UCR tomwt Tue, 04/15/2025 - 09:38 More College News April 15, 2025

UC Riverside’s College of Natural & Agricultural Sciences (CNAS) convened a meeting of UC Cooperative Extension (CE) Specialists, Advisors, and Faculty to foster collaborations and showcase agricultural research at UC Riverside. The meeting, held Feb. 18, featured researchers and professors from CNAS and BCOE who addressed topics effecting agriculture and natural resources (ANR) that are critically important for the state.

They were joined by keynote speakers and special guests, Glenda Humiston, Vice President, UC Agriculture and Natural Resources, and Brent Hales, Associate Vice President, Research and Cooperative Extension, UC Agriculture and Natural Resources, who represented the UC system at large.

After CNAS Divisional Dean of Agricultural and Natural Resources, Patty Springer, welcomed attendees to the meeting, Peter Atkinson, CNAS Dean, reminded the audience that we are living in challenging times heightened by one universal fact: agriculture is “phenomenally important.”

"UCR builds upon the success of our predecessors, who more than a century ago helped address challenges in the citrus industry," he said. "Our university has been a transformative force for Riverside, Southern California, and across the nation, and we are well-positioned to continue making a meaningful impact throughout the 21st century."

"The UC system is an incredible network of institutions, and UC Riverside plays a vital role within it," he continued. "Today, we celebrate the groundbreaking work of our researchers at UCR.”

In her remarks, Dr. Humiston painted a picture of what UC ANR strives to accomplish. She said: “We cultivate thriving communities, sustainable agriculture, resilient ecosystems, and economic prosperity in California through development and sharing of equitable and collaborative science-based solutions that have national and global impact.”

One initiative she discussed focused on increasing awareness and advocacy for agriculture-oriented policies. "We share your research findings and ensure that individuals receive the necessary training to effectively communicate science to policymakers—not only in the state legislature but also in local government, economic development associations, special districts, and beyond" Ms. Humiston said.

Dean Atkinson views UC ANR as a valuable and dynamic resource. "It’s a highly collaborative effort where, in meetings like this, we can share what we’re doing and how it can be applied in the field. It’s about bridging foundational science with real-world applications to drive meaningful market outcomes. These meetings are essential because they connect scientific research with practical implementation—creating a powerful synergy."

According to Dean Springer, the topics presented at the meeting highlight just a portion of the research currently underway at UCR.

Xylella fastidiosa, a Bacterial Pathogen at the Nexus of Parasitism and Commensalism
Caroline Roper, Professor of Plant Pathology, MPP

Reprogramming Plant Hormone Receptors as Sensors for Biotechnology
Ian Wheeldon, Professor of Chemical and Environmental Engineering

Developing and Deploying Citrus Rootstocks with Tolerance to Huanglongbing Disease
Danelle Seymour, Assistant Professor of Genetics, BPSC

Turfgrass Research and Outreach in California and the Southwest
Christian Bowman, Postdoc, Baird Lab, BPSC

Autonomous Agricultural Robots in Support of Sustainable Crop Production
Konstantinos Karydis, Associate Professor of Electrical and Computer Engineering and Director of the Center for Robotics and Intelligent Systems

Exploring New Opportunities for Control of Cattle Ectoparasites
Alec Gerry, Professor of Veterinary Entomology and CE Specialist, ENT
Amy Murillo, Assistant Professor of Veterinary Entomology, ENT

Advancing Agricultural and Urban Water Management in Southern California Through a Collaborative, Integrated Research and Extension Approach
Amir Verdi, Associate Professor and CE Specialist of Agricultural and Urban Water Management, ENSC

The Nolux Project: Deep Space Food Production System
Nico Franco, CEO & Co-founder, Seedorina

Brent Hales, Glenda Humiston, Christopher Lynch, and Peter Atkinson

In addition to the opening and closing statements by Deans Atkinson and Springer, other remarks were given by Christopher Lynch, Dean of the Marlan and Rosemary Bourns College of Engineering.

"Our faculty is eager to engage in discussions about solutions and strategies for the challenges facing our state," said Dean Atkinson. "I’m highly optimistic about our local environment, climate, and demographics. The Inland Empire reflects the future demographics of the U.S., giving us a unique opportunity at the College to provide young people with a strong foundation in science—especially in all aspects of agriculture."

He continued, "Many people associate agriculture solely with soil and planting, but it also involves cutting-edge technologies that create future job opportunities. At its core, agriculture is preventative medicine. By developing innovative ways to grow healthy plants, we not only strengthen the food supply but also contribute to public health by reducing illness."

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UC Agriculture and Natural Resources

Termites can't hide from heat and essential oils, finds UCCE study

ilseu — Tue, 03 Nov 2020 17:51:34 +0000

Termites can't hide from heat and essential oils, finds UCCE study ilseu Tue, 11/03/2020 - 09:51 More CNAS in the Media Pamela Kan-Rice | UC Agricultural & Natural Resources October 29, 2020

UC ANR - Termites can eat you out of house and home by chewing through wood and weakening the structure. The results of a new termite study led by entomologists at UC Riverside may enable homeowners to rid their homes of termites with a safer, effective pest control approach.

“Combining a volatile essential oil with heat might reduce callbacks for pest management professionals and potentially lead to lower risk of heat damage to things in the homes,” said Dong-Hwan Choe, UC Cooperative Extension specialist in the Department of Entomology at UC Riverside.

UC ANR Experts work on making termite treatment less harmful to humans and pets

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Dong-Hwan Choe

Termites

UC Agriculture and Natural Resources

UC ANR to work with farmers to apply artificial intelligence technologies in the field

ilseu — Wed, 24 Jun 2020 21:16:06 +0000

UC ANR to work with farmers to apply artificial intelligence technologies in the field ilseu Wed, 06/24/2020 - 14:16 More CNAS in the Media Jeannette E. Warnert | UC Agriculture and Natural Resources June 24, 2020

UC ANR - UC Agriculture and Natural Resources will receive $865,000 to help farmers in the Colorado River basin and the Salinas Valley integrate digital tools and artificial intelligence into their growing systems. The funds are part of a $10 million Sustainable Agricultural Systems grant from the USDA's National Institute of Food and Agriculture to improve the sustainability of the nation's food supply.

The intensive agricultural industry of the Colorado River basin – which includes the Palo Verde, Coachella and Imperial valleys in California; the Yuma Valley and other areas, such as Wellton-Mohawk Valley in Arizona – produces vegetables in the winter that are shipped across the country. Salinas Valley farms produce vegetables in the summer for markets throughout the nation.

“Vegetables are an essential part of a healthful diet. With this grant, NIFA is recognizing the role that California, Arizona and Colorado play in growing nutritious food for Americans,” said Khaled Bali, UC Cooperative Extension irrigation specialist. “The sustainability of these production systems into the future, particularly in light of challenges like climate change, increased drought and limited access to surface and groundwater, will require sophisticated technology.”

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El-kereamy named Director of UC Lindcove Research & Extension Center

ilseu — Wed, 24 Jun 2020 20:37:28 +0000

El-kereamy named Director of UC Lindcove Research & Extension Center ilseu Wed, 06/24/2020 - 13:37 More College News Pamela Kan-Rice | UC Agriculture and Natural Resources June 24, 2020

Ashraf El-kereamy will be the new director of UC Agriculture and Natural Resources' Lindcove Research & Extension Center, starting on July 1, 2020. He will continue to serve as a UC Cooperative Extension specialist in the Department of Botany & Plant Sciences at UC Riverside and based at Lindcove Research & Extension Center.

“Elizabeth Grafton-Cardwell retires this year after 13 years as director of Lindcove REC, California's premier citrus research center,” said Mark Lagrimini, UC ANR vice provost for research and extension. “We are excited to have Ashraf in place to carry on the tremendous success attributable to the research performed at Lindcove. Ashraf brings a breadth of research, extension and leadership skills.”

El-kereamy has extensive experience with several commodities with research revolving around plant hormones, fruit ripening, plant nutrition, and the responses of different plant species to abiotic stress conditions.

Since February 2019, El-kereamy has been serving as a UC Cooperative Extension citrus specialist based at Lindcove Research and Extension Center. Prior to the specialist position, El-kereamy was a UCCE viticulture and small fruit advisor for Kern County, where he established a research and extension program serving the San Joaquin Valley table grape industry for four years. Prior to joining UC ANR, he was an assistant/associate professor in the Department of Horticulture at Ain Shams University in Egypt.

“I am honored and very excited to be the director of Lindcove Research and Extension Center, which plays a crucial role in the California citrus industry,” El-kereamy said. “I am confident that, with the support of our industry, community and the University of California, we will build tomorrow's Lindcove REC as a center of excellence in research and extension. I am looking forward to leading Lindcove REC and providing our clientele with up-to-date technologies to cope with the challenges facing the California agriculture industry.”

El-kereamy earned a bachelor's degree in horticulture and master's degree in pomology from Ain Shams University in Cairo, Egypt, and a doctorate in agriculture with an emphasis in grapevine physiology and molecular biology from Toulouse University in France.

Dr. Ashraf El-kereamy

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UC Agriculture and Natural Resources

Ashraf El-kereamy

Want to save your citrus trees? Start a full-fledged insect war

ilseu — Fri, 24 Apr 2020 21:37:36 +0000

Want to save your citrus trees? Start a full-fledged insect war ilseu Fri, 04/24/2020 - 14:37 More CNAS in the Media Jeanette Marrantos | LA Times April 24, 2020

LOS ANGELES TIMES - Growing citrus is a dicey business these days in Southern California, and not at all recommended if you live within a two-mile radius of a tree infected with Huanglongbing disease — a.k.a. HLB or citrus greening disease. However, if you live outside a “red zone” and you’re willing to actively fight the disease, then yes, it’s still possible to grow limes for your margaritas.

But you’ll have to be ruthlessly proactive by declaring brutal warfare on the ants in your yard while embracing a tiny parasitoid wasp that eats its living prey from the inside out.

HLB is a bacterial disease spread by the tiny Asian citrus psyllid that loves to suck the sap from tender new “flush” growth on citrus and then lay its eggs. If the psyllid sups on a tree with HLB, it spreads the disease to every other tree it visits, and once infected, there is no cure.

The University of California’s department of Agriculture and Natural Resources has created an interactive map that identifies hot zones of infection: in Southern California they’re mostly in the four-corners area where Los Angeles, Orange, Riverside and San Bernardino counties meet. Enter your address and it shows how close your home is to those infection areas.

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Find out if your area is affected with UC ANR's interactive HLB proximity map:

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Check your citrus trees for Asian citrus psyllid:

View UC ANR video on youtube

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Department of Entomology

Elizabeth Grafton-Cardwell

UC Agriculture and Natural Resources