Irrigation Content

΢��Ƶ to Lead Groundwater and Irrigated Agriculture Sustainability Study

Amy M Quinton — October 18, 2021 - 9:40am

΢��Ƶ researchers to lead research to find ways to sustain irrigated agriculture and improve groundwater quality and quantity under a changing climate.

Coastal Grape Growers Can Use Less Water During Drought

Amy M Quinton — September 01, 2021 - 8:00am

California grape growers in coastal areas can use less water during drought and cut irrigation levels without affecting crop yields or quality, according to ΢��Ƶ researchers.

Maximizing Use of Water Stored in Soil Could Result in Savings for Farmers

Amy M Quinton — May 14, 2019 - 10:00am

As California faces more frequent and severe droughts, agriculture, which relies on irrigation from surface water and groundwater, could become expensive and unsustainable. Researchers at the University of California, Davis, looked at using a “free” resource — rain water stored in the soil — and found that optimizing its use could go a long way to help meet demand for five California perennial crops. Their findings appear in the journal Environmental Research Letters.

A Nutty Idea: A Little Stress Could Be Good for Walnuts

Amy M Quinton — October 22, 2018 - 11:03am

When it comes to watering walnuts, most California growers believe you need to start early to keep trees healthy and productive throughout the long, hot summer. But according to striking results from a long-term experiment in a walnut orchard in Red Bluff, California, growers can improve crop production if they hold off irrigation until later in the season and directly measure their trees’ water needs.

The findings from researchers at the University of California, Davis, may help farmers optimize water use.

Bringing More Irrigation and Climate-Smart Farming to Guatemala

Patricia Bailey — July 29, 2016 - 10:00am

Through a project called MásRiego, or “more irrigation,” an international team led by ΢��Ƶ is working to connect 9,000 rural households in Guatemala with improved water management and climate-smart agriculture strategies, to increase food security and reduce poverty.

Saving water at ΢��Ƶ

Katherine E Kerlin — December 09, 2015 - 12:00am

From July 2014 to July 2015, ΢��Ƶ reduced its use of nonpotable irrigation water by 30 percent, or 100 million gallons, compared to the same period ending in 2013. The cuts were achieved with targeted tree care including “watering bags” around trees, irrigation improvements and converting lawns to other plants. We’re continuing to look for ways to save water while keeping our campus beautiful.

Seeds of Science

Susanne Rockwell — August 15, 2007 - 9:14am

As the campus nears its 2008–09 centennial celebration, we take a look back at what was happening 100 years ago.

Even before the first buildings were finished — and more than a year before the first students would arrive — the University Farm began laying the groundwork for its first research projects.

UC scientists dug experimental irrigation ditches and planted varieties of wheat, oats, barley and tomatoes. Soon to follow would be test crops of sugar beets, legumes and an array of fruit and almond trees.