Mission:
The Parlier Location is composed of three management units (Commodity Protection and Quality Research Unit, CPQRU; Crop Diseases, Pests and Genetics Research Unit, CDPG; and Water Management Research Unit, WMRU) and one project from Pullman, Washington, National Arid Land Plant Genetic Resources Unit (NALPGRU). CPQRU is focused on development of alternative chemical based and non-chemical based (e.g., biological, physical) treatments to replace methyl bromide use on stored products to meet quarantine needs; to preserve or extend domestic and export markets; and to ensure quality maintenance of California-grown fruits and vegetables, extend storage life, and reduce postharvest losses causes by senescence, decay, pathogens, insect pests and postharvest treatments. The CDPGRU develops methods to minimize production losses in horticultural crops in California caused by citrus tristeza closterovirus (CTV) and introduced plant pathogens and insect pests, primarily Xylella fastidiosa and its insect vectors (e.g., the glassy-winged sharpshooter); develops predictive models to describe, forecast and assess the risk of potential invasive plant pest introduction, spread and establishment; and develops improved almond, stone fruit and grape cultivars with superior horticultural characteristics and enhanced disease and pest resistance for fresh and processing markets. The WMRU develops water management practices to improve sustainability/crop productivity in irrigated agriculture; evaluates and predicts consequences of management practices on water quality; reduce soil/water pollution by water and crop management; develops irrigation management improving sustainability, environmental health and water supplies. The NALPGRU acquires, maintains, regenerates, evaluates, and conducts research on diverse plant germplasm of selected arid land plant species assigned to this Unit.