SJC and Delta Field Crops

With funding from the CDFA Healthy Soils Program and CA Rice Research Board, we are evaluating how well different cover crop species establish, provide soil coverage, affect soil carbon and nitrogen dynamics, and/or impact rice yield in subsequent growing seasons.

We evaluated blackeye bean varieties in a commercial field in Stanislaus County. The season began with cool and wet spring conditions, which lasted through the month of June and delayed planting. Seven varieties from the University of California blackeye breeding program were planted on July 7th.

UC Cooperative Extension will host a Healthy Soils Program field demonstration day on cover cropping in rice systems. The meeting will take place on Thursday, February 29th, from 9:30am to noon, on Staten Island in San Joaquin County (23319 N. Staten Island Road, Thornton).

UC Cooperative Extension collaborates with the California Rice Experiment Station to evaluate commercial varieties and advanced breeding lines. The San Joaquin County Delta location was one of nine locations in the 2023 statewide trial.

UC Cooperative Extension will host the SJC and Delta Field Crops Meeting on Friday, January 12, 2024 from 8:00am to 12:00pm. The meeting location is the Cabral Agricultural Center in Stockton (2101 E. Earhart Ave., Stockton, CA 95206).