12,787 research outputs found

    Steady State Raw Raman Measurements (12-26-20 to 1-27-21)

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    Steady State Raw Raman Measurement from 12-26-20 to 1-27-2

    Six steps to calibrate and optimize airblast sprayers for orchards and vineyards

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    The goal for all pesticide applications should be to get every drop to the crop. Calibration ensures that the appropriate product rate is applied by the sprayer, while optimization ensures that the product is delivered onto the intended target. Calibrating and optimizing the sprayer are essential to sustainability, as they affect the environment, farm workers, and economic impact through fruit quality and pesticide costs. In six steps, this publication explains how to measure ground speed and nozzle output, check and adjust airflow and nozzle alignment, and verify coverage for an airblast sprayer. Methods are outlined for manual completion of the steps, and simplified formulas and suggestions for tools that can make the process faster are included

    2019 cost estimates of establishing, producing, and packing Gala apples in Washington

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    The results presented in this WSU publication serve as a general guide for evaluating the feasibility of producing Gala apples in Washington as of 2019. This publication is not intended to be a definitive guide to production practices, but it is helpful in estimating the physical and financial requirements of comparable plantings. To avoid drawing unwarranted conclusions for any particular orchard, readers must closely examine the assumptions made in this guide, and then adjust the costs, returns, or both as appropriate for their own orchard operation

    Integrated management of jointed goatgrass in the Pacific Northwest

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    Jointed goatgrass is a weed that competes with wheat, resulting in reduced yield and increased grain dockage. Managing jointed goatgrass in winter wheat requires a systems approach that integrates multiple control tactics, described in this bulletin. Although jointed goatgrass is a major problem in most winter wheat growing areas west of the Mississippi River, the climate and cropping patterns of the Pacific Northwest (PNW) are unique and may influence the choice of options available for effective management of this pest. In particular, producers have noted that by adopting direct seed/reduced tillage management systems, both the number of jointed goatgrass infestations and the densities of these infestations tend to increase

    Optimal Overlays for Preservation of Concrete Slabs in Cold Climate: Multi-Criteria Decision Making by the Method of Fuzzy Comprehensive Evaluation Combined with AHP

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    Overlays have been extensively employed as an effective preservation or rehabilitation tool to extend the service life of concrete bridges and pavements, especially these deteriorated concrete slabs suffering from salt scaling and abrasion. However, limited attention has been paid to the durability and performance of these overlays which can be jeopardized when they are exposed to freeze/thaw-wet/dry cycles, deicer applications, studded tires, and their coupled effects as well. Various overlays feature different engineering properties, and they might be only effective in specific service environments but not others, and research is lacking to examine the adaptation of various overlays in different environments. This study subjected five overlay products on concrete slabs to the combined action of freeze/thaw (F/T) and wet/dry (W/D) cycles with periodical exposure to either 15 wt.% NaCl solution or 15 wt.% MgCl2 solutions, to simulate the typical field scenarios in an accelerated manner. The bond strength, splitting tensile strength, and abrasion resistance of the overlaid concrete slabs were tested to evaluate the effectiveness of various overlays against the deicer scaling and the abrasion by studded tires. Based on the experimental data, this study demonstrated a multi-criteria decision-making method, fuzzy comprehensive evaluation (FCE) combined with analytic hierarchy process (AHP), for the selection of optimal overlays in three different service scenarios (e.g., states of Washington and Oregon [USA] and British Columbia [Canada]). The analysis results indicated that one epoxy overlay exhibited the comprehensively best performance and could be a promising candidate in all three given scenarios, another polymer overlay took second place, while the adaptability of the three cement-based overlays varied in different environments

    Integrated management of prickly lettuce in wheat production systems

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    Prickly lettuce (Lactuca serriola L.) is a common weed in wheat production systems throughout the Inland Pacific Northwest (PNW). It is an annual, winter annual, or occasionally a biennial, that reproduces only by seed. Individual plants can produce from 35 to 2,300 flowers and 700 to 46,000 seeds. Sanitation (the prevention of weed seed production and dispersal) is an important aspect of prickly lettuce management, as is growing a healthy, competitive wheat crop. Herbicides can provide effective control of prickly lettuce in wheat, but many biotypes are now resistant to ALS-inhibitor and synthetic auxin herbicides. An integrated management approach is required for the sustainable, long-term control of this troublesome species

    Food safety considerations for postharvest washing of produce and sanitation of packing areas

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    Many food safety issues that occur in postharvest unit operations are associated with: 1. Cross contamination between contaminated and uncontaminated produce during washing, or 2. Improper cleaning and disinfection of tools, equipment, and facilities used during packing and holding of produce. For these reasons, we will focus on proper use of two commonly used sanitizers, chlorine and peroxyacetic acid (PAA) during postharvest washing as well as how to develop a robust sanitation program for your farm or packinghouse

    Davenport living snow fence demonstration Fifteen-year survival and growth update

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    This Washington State University publication discusses the Davenport Living Snow Fence, a dryland Rocky Mountain juniper (Juniperus scopulorum) demonstration project planted in 2003, and provides data on tree growth and survival rates during its first 15 years. The primary purpose of this planting was to demonstrate implementation. A secondary purpose was to examine tree growth, row variability, and survival. This demonstration was not intended to measure snow catchment effectiveness, although this could be accomplished in subsequent years. Empirical observations for snow catchment, impact of reducing snow drifting onto the state highway during periods of adverse winter weather, and wildlife uses of the Davenport Living Snow Fence are included

    Fir engraver damage in western Washington

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    The fir engraver beetle (Scolytus ventralis) can cause significant damage and mortality to conifers in the Abies genus in western Washington. This small insect bores below the bark of trees and feeds on the sugar-rich phloem. In the process, they also cause severe damage to the cambium, the tissue responsible for annual diameter growth. If enough beetles feed on the tree, they will eventually girdle its circumference, cutting off nutrient flow and causing the tree to die. While this beetle is capable of killing trees, in western Washington it behaves as a secondary agent. This means it typically can only establish itself in trees dealing with a preexisting stressor, such as drought or a root disease. When trees are under significant stress, they are less able to defend themselves. Because of this, severe drought conditions in western Washington often correlate with a spike in fir engraver beetle populations. Since climate models predict hotter, drier summers in the coastal northwest, fir engraver damage and mortality may become more commonplace in the years to come

    Food preservation for special diets : adjusting sugar and sodium when preserving at home

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    Home food preservation can be an excellent option for people who want to reduce the amount of sugar or sodium in their diets. At harvest, foods are naturally low in sodium and added sugars. When fresh foods are processed commercially, both sugar and sodium are added because they function as preservatives. By processing fresh foods at home, you can modify the amounts of sugar and sodium, giving you the chance to prepare foods that interest you and meet your personal dietary goals. This publication provides a synopsis of the changes you can safely make to the sugar and sodium content when preserving foods at home. It also describes the few instances where these ingredients cannot be altered because they are essential to the outcome or the safety of the product
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