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The relationships between increasing nitrogen fertilization and growth, maximum CO₂ assimilation and the initial slope of the CO₂ response curve were studied in two ecotypes of wild strawberry, Fragaria chiloensis (L) Duchn. Nitrogen accumulation of CA11, an ecotype from a low -nutrient dune site, was greater at all nitrogen concentrations than that of RCP37, an ecotype from a higher- nutrient strand site. Maximum CO₂ assimilation, total Rubisco activity, dry weight, and initiation of leaves and crowns were higher in CA11 than RCP37 as nitrogen treatment was increased from 0 to 200 mg l⁻¹, whereas these parameters were lower in CA11 when fertilized at 300 mg l⁻¹, but not in RCP37. The mean leaf area of CA11 was greater than RCP37 when grown with no supplemental nitrogen, but mean leaf area of the two lines was similar under nitrogen fertilization. Maximum CO₂ assimilation and carboxylation efficiency increased with increasing leaf nitrogen in both clones. At equivalent concentrations of leaf nitrogen, RCP37 had higher CO₂ assimilation and carboxylation efficiency than CA11 and the difference between the 2 clones increased as leaf nitrogen increased. Thus, RCP37 had a higher photosynthetic nitrogen use efficiency than CA11. However, at a given applied nitrogen level, CA11 allocated more nitrogen to a unit of leaf area so that photosynthetic rates were higher than RCP37, except at the highest application of 300 mg l⁻¹. The high nitrogen accumulation capacity and resource allocation to fruiting structures (crowns) in CA11 lead us to suggest that this clone may possess genes that could increase fruit yield in cultivated strawberry.

For 24 consecutive months, root pieces were collected from field -grown Lisbon lemon trees established on Citrus aurantium (sour orange), C. jambhiri (rough lemon), and C. volkameriana rootstocks. Root segments were wounded, inoculated with Phytophthora citrophthora or P. parasitica, and incubated for 96 hr in moist chambers. Smaller lesions developed during Jan -Feb than during Jul-Oct on root pieces of all tested rootstocks inoculated with P. citrophthora as well as root pieces of C aurantium inoculated with P. parasitica. Apparently there is a seasonal variation in the susceptibility of citrus rootstocks to colonization by Phytophthora. This information could be useful for more effective timing of fungicide applications.

Since 1973, Yuma County has had three apparently unrelated infestations of California Red Scale (CRS). The Yuma County citrus Pest Control District (YCCPCD) was successful in eradicating the first two in 1980 and 1984, respectively. We are continuing our spray program on the third, but our detection methods indicate that this infestation has now also been eradicated.

Experiments were initiated to evaluate potential new citrus rootstocks for their relative tolerance or resistance to root rot and gummosis caused by Phytophthora citrophthora and P. parasitica and to determine the efficacy of potential new fungicides for disease control. In greenhouse trials conducted in 1994 and 1995, the range of root loss due to Phytophthora in the 44 different rootstocks tested ranged from 26-96 %. Rootstocks sustaining 80% or less root loss will be evaluated further to identify those with superior tolerance to Phytophthora. In growth chamber experiments, the same rootstocks were inoculated on the stem to evaluate resistance to gummosis. The length of canker that developed on these test plants ranged from 1-25 mm. Rootstocks with canker development in the range of 1-10 mm in length will be tested further to identify the most resistant selections. Laboratory studies were conducted to determine the comparative activity of Aliette, Ridomil, Dimethomorph, Fluazinam, ICIA-5504, and SM-9 at concentrations of 1, 10, 100, and 1, 000 mg/l on sporulation and growth of P. citrophthora and P. parasitica. Each of the four new molecules was either comparable or superior to Aliette or Ridomil with respect to activity on at least one component of the life cycle of the Phytophthora species tested. The results presented in this report are preliminary in nature and will be validated in future studies.

Previous literature concerning citrus and other tree crops led us to ask if there was molecular evidence for mycoplasma -like organisms (MLOs) as the causal agent of Macrophylla decline and two other decline diseases, citrus blight and lemon sieve tube necrosis. We had molecular probes available to us that were either specific for MLOs of tree diseases and others that were universal for all known types of MLOs. We used a polymerase chain reaction (MLO) to determine if MLOs were present in the vascular tissues of decline and healthy citrus. I all trials performed, the trees were negative for MLO-PCR products. In addition, we attempted to transmit putative MLO 's from decline affected trees to Vinca rosea MLO-nurse plants. We were unable to affect this type of transfer. In addition, our attempts to identify MLO's in phloem tissue gave us negative results. We have since revised our hypothesis. We are currently pursuing the hypothesis that these decline disorders are the result of a rootstock scion incompatibility, that we may be able to avoid culturally, while maintaining these valuable combinations.

Studies are being conducted which aim to improve the efficiency of irrigation and N fertilization for lemons produced on sandy soils in the low desert. The first experiment evaluates the response of 'Lisbon' lemons to various flood irrigation intervals. Irrigation intervals are based on soil moisture depletion (SMD) as calculated from frequent neutron probe soil moisture measurements. Individual treatments were irrigated when total SMD was 25 %, 40 %, 55 %, and 70 %, respectively. The second experiment compares the performance of young lemons produced under flood, trickle, and micro -spray irrigation systems. The third experiment evaluates the response of young lemons to water and N combinations (3 by 3 factorial) under micro -spray irrigation. The three irrigation rates were targeted for 30 cnbar, 20 cnbar, and 10 cnbar tension. The three N rates were 0.1, 0.2, and 0.4 kg N /tree. One flood irrigation treatment was added for comparative purposes. Overall, results obtained in experiment 1 during 1994 and 1995 indicate optimal fruit growth ,and yield is obtained at approximately 40% SMD. The results of experiment 2 show that after 18 months micro -spray irrigation produced significantly more tree growth than flood and drip irrigation methods. Additionally, first year fruit yields were significantly greater for pressurized irrigation compared to flood irrigation. Results from experiment 3 show a linear response in tree growth up to 10 cnbar soil moisture tension. Furthermore, tree growth at 10 cnbar tension was significantly greater than trees irrigated by flood. Yields were also increased to irrigation regime. There were no significant differences in tree growth to N fertilization rates. However, there was a yield increase to N fertilizer rate at the highest soil moisture regime.

Granular (Rugby 10G) and liquid (Rugby 100ME) formulations of Cadusafos were evaluated for the control of Tvlenchulus semipenetrans on mature lemon trees in a commercial citrus orchard at Yuma, Arizona. Three applications of cadusafos, with two months between applications, at the rate of 2 g a.i. /m2 reduced nematode populations to undetectable levels and increased the yield and rate of fruit maturity of 'Rosenberger' lemons. Yields were increased 12,587 kg per hectare with Rugby 100ME and 8,392 kg per hectare with Rugby 10G. Nematode populations were suppressed for at least 12 months after the last application.

Studies are being conducted which aim to improve the efficiency of irrigation and N fertilization for lemons produced on sandy soils in the low desert The first experiment evaluates the response of 'Lisbon' lemons to various flood irrigation intervals. Irrigation intervals are based on soil moisture depletion (SMD) as calculated from frequent neutron probe soil moisture measurements. Individual treatments were irrigated when total SMI) was 25 %, 40 %, 55 %, and 70 %, respectively. The second experiment compares the performance of young lemons produced under flood, trickle, and micro-spray irrigation systems. The third experiment evaluates the response of young lemons to water and N combinations (3 by 3 factorial) under micro - spray irrigation. The three irrigation rates were targeted for 30 cnbar, 20 cnbar, and 10 cnbar tension. The three N rates were 0.1, 0.2, and 0.4 kg N/tree. One flood irrigation treatment was added for comparative purposes. Overall, results obtained in experiment 1 during 1994, 1995, and 1996 indicate optimal fruit growth and yield is obtained at approximately 40% SMD. The results of experiment 2 show that after 3 years, only micro-jet irrigation produced less tree growth than flood irrigation. In 1995, first year fruit yields were significantly greater for pressurized irrigation compared to flood irrigation. However, by 1996 there were no differences in yield to irrigation treatment. Results from experiment 3 show a linear response in tree growth to irrigation. In 1994 and 1995, tree growth at the high micro - spray soil moisture regime was significantly greater than trees irrigated by flood. However, in 1996 where we failed to increase the micro-spay irrigation time to meet the increased water demand by the trees, the flood irrigation regime was superior. Yields were also increased to irrigation. There were no significant differences in tree growth to N fertilization rates in 1994 and 1995. However, there was increased tree growth in 1996 and a yield increase to N fertilizer rate at the highest soil moisture regime.