The California Walnut Board’s is touting a production research program that relies on short- and long-term solutions for today’s orchard and industry challenges.

Ongoing research funded by the board includes a project with the University of California, Davis to improve both field performance and nut and kernel quality, the organization notes.

One of the most recent advances in the walnut industry was the development of the new UC Wolfskill variety, which enables growers to harvest earlier and boost their harvest efficiency, a board spokeswoman said.

Other research conducted by farm advisors at UC Davis and Katherine Jarvis-Shean, UCCE Orchard Advisor, Sacramento, Solano and Yolo Counties, is measuring walnut tree demand and how to time fertilizer applications for maximum uptake efficiency. This helps reduce the risk of groundwater contamination in walnut orchards, according to the board.

The CWB has partnered with UC Davis on production research for nearly 50 years and has been funding UC Davis research for new walnut varieties since 1992.

“The California Walnut Board provides funding and strategic direction for walnut production and post-harvest research designed to help support the industry by improving orchard crop health, and yields, and sustainability,” said Joshua Rahm, Director, Technical and Regulatory Affairs at the California Walnut Board and Commission. “All of these research efforts ultimately benefit the grower.”

For more information about the board's research efforts, click here.