Recycled water causes no salinity or toxicity issues in Napa vineyards

In response to Napa Sanitation District's interest in expanding its delivery of recycled water to vineyards for irrigation, we conducted a feasibility study to assess the suitability of the water for this use. We adopted two approaches: comparing the water quality characteristics of the recycled water with those of other local sources of irrigation water, and evaluating soil samples from a vineyard that was irrigated for 8 years with the recycled water. Results indicate that the quality of the recycled water is suitable for irrigation, and also that long-term accumulation of salts and toxic ions have not occurred in the vineyards studied and are unlikely to occur. Nutrients in the recycled water may be beneficial to vineyards, though the levels of nitrogen may need to be reduced by planting cover crops in some vineyards

The impact of immediate breast reconstruction on the time to delivery of adjuvant therapy: the iBRA-2 study

Background: Immediate breast reconstruction (IBR) is routinely offered to improve quality-of-life for women requiring mastectomy, but there are concerns that more complex surgery may delay adjuvant oncological treatments and compromise long-term outcomes. High-quality evidence is lacking. The iBRA-2 study aimed to investigate the impact of IBR on time to adjuvant therapy. Methods: Consecutive women undergoing mastectomy ± IBR for breast cancer July–December, 2016 were included. Patient demographics, operative, oncological and complication data were collected. Time from last definitive cancer surgery to first adjuvant treatment for patients undergoing mastectomy ± IBR were compared and risk factors associated with delays explored. Results: A total of 2540 patients were recruited from 76 centres; 1008 (39.7%) underwent IBR (implant-only [n = 675, 26.6%]; pedicled flaps [n = 105,4.1%] and free-flaps [n = 228, 8.9%]). Complications requiring re-admission or re-operation were significantly more common in patients undergoing IBR than those receiving mastectomy. Adjuvant chemotherapy or radiotherapy was required by 1235 (48.6%) patients. No clinically significant differences were seen in time to adjuvant therapy between patient groups but major complications irrespective of surgery received were significantly associated with treatment delays. Conclusions: IBR does not result in clinically significant delays to adjuvant therapy, but post-operative complications are associated with treatment delays. Strategies to minimise complications, including careful patient selection, are required to improve outcomes for patients

Reducing Runoff from Irrigated Lands: Soil Intake Rates and Application Rates in Sprinkler-Irrigated Orchards

Matching the sprinkler application rate to the soil intake rate is difficult and complex. This publication discusses three approaches to determine the design application rate of a sprinkler irrigation system to the soil intake rate

Reducing Runoff from Irrigated Lands: Managing Existing Sprinkler Irrigation Systems

If you experience runoff from an existing sprinkler-irrigated orchard, changing the design and set-up of the sprinkler system, the management of the sprinkler system, or the management of the orchard floor may reduce the amount

Reducing Runoff from Irrigated Lands: Tailwater Return Systems

Excess irrigation water that runs off a farm field (“tailwater”) is regulated by California law, since it may be carrying sediments, nutrients, and agricultural chemicals. Learn about options for safely recycling tailwater back into your farm operation

Reducing Runoff from Irrigated Lands: Measuring Irrigation Flows in a Pipeline

Minimizing the application of excess water requires knowing when and how much water to apply. Flow measurement is most easily done in a pipeline; this publication describes the four most commonly used flowmeters, their maintenance, and uses

Reducing Runoff from Irrigated Lands: Managing Existing Sprinkler Irrigation Systems

If you experience runoff from an existing sprinkler-irrigated orchard, changing the design and set-up of the sprinkler system, the management of the sprinkler system, or the management of the orchard floor may reduce the amount

Reducing Runoff from Irrigated Lands: Causes and Management of Runoff from Surface Irrigation in Orchards

Minimizing runoff from surface irrigation is a balance between adequate irrigation and tailwater runoff. This publication discusses how surface runoff can occur and management methods that can minimize the amount of water leaving a property

Reducing Runoff from Irrigated Lands: Tailwater Return Systems

Excess irrigation water that runs off a farm field (“tailwater”) is regulated by California law, since it may be carrying sediments, nutrients, and agricultural chemicals. Learn about options for safely recycling tailwater back into your farm operation

Measuring Applied Water in Surface-Irrigated Orchards

A helpful guide on reducing agricultural runoff from irrigated properties caused by irrigation practices or winter rainfall