Die Wandelnde Mandel – Manfred Winkler und Paul Celan

Fruit tree-wheat intercropping system is the main agricultural production pattern in sou-thern Xinjiang. In this study, almond (Amygdalus communis)-winter wheat (Xindong 20 (Triticum aestivum, var. Xindong 20) intercropping system was used as the research object. Four tree forms of delayed open-central shape (DC), open-center shape (OC), high stem-shape (HS), and semicircle small-canopy shape (SC) and three intercropping distances (wheat intercropping area respectively 1.5, 2.5 and 3.5 m from the tree trunk) were set to create tree canopy shading treatments, with monoculture wheat as the control. The environmental factors and the grain filling characteristic of winter wheat under different treatment conditions were measured, and the correlation between grain filling characteristics and 1000-grain weight and environmental factors was established to provide information for selecting the best management standards and optimizing the intercropping system. The results showed that under the almond tree-winter wheat intercropping system, the PAR, red/far-red light (R/FR), and temperature above the wheat canopy were significantly decreased due to canopy shading, resulting in a significant increase in humidity. The degree of variation was affected by tree form and distance. The PAR decrease degree of the four treatments was DC＞OC/HS＞SC, except for HS. The PAR decrease of the other tree form treatments was 1.5 m＞2.5 m＞3.5 m. The PAR decrease was distributed in the range of 35.5%-86.6%. A cubic polynomial equation represented the grain filling process, and the specific property of grain filling and 1000-grain weight was assessed using the correlation analysis. The decrease in the 1000-grain weight in the intercropping system was closely associated with the decreases in average grain-filling rate (V), maximum grain-filling rate (Vmax), effective grain-filling duration (Se), and effective grain-filling duration (Vs). The shortening of Se and the reduction in the grain filling rate were related with the reduction in the PAR incidence above the wheat canopy. In the fruit tree-winter wheat intercropping system, the reduction of PAR, dry matter accumulation after flowering, and Se were reduced by tree canopy shading consequently for the decrease in the 1000-grain weight of the intercropping wheat. When the distance between the intercropping area and the tree trunk was greater than 75% of tree height, and shading intensity was less than 35.5% of the natural light intensity, the intercropping with the almond tree could increase the 1000-grain weight of wheat by increasing the effective grain-filling duration.

Almond tree response to a change in wetted soil volume under drip irrigation

The spatial and temporal pattern of root water uptake in partially wetted soil was studied in the root zone of a 6-year-old microsprinkler-irrigated almond tree. The water balance of about one quarter of the root zone's wetted soil volume (2.0·2.0·0.9 m 3 ) was deter- mined by catch cans, neutron probe and tensiometer measurements. Twenty-five neutron probe access tubes with catch cans were distributed in a square grid of 50 cm spacing. Eight pairs of tensiometers were installed at depths of 82.5 and 97.5 cm in a regular pattern be- tween the access tubes. Neutron probe readings at 15 cm depth increments and tensiometer readings were taken at time intervals of 4-24 h. The rate of soil water depletion was calculated and used to estimate the spatial and temporal distributions of root water uptake. Soil water dynamics was studied in two stages: (1) during a week of conventional irrigation management with three irriga- tion events; and (2) during a period of 16 days without irrigation, after the monitored soil volume was thor- oughly moistened so that soil water was easily available everywhere, initially. The zones of maximum root water uptake were the same for both stages in periods of high local rates of water application. After water applica- tions, root water uptake occurred initially near the tree trunk and then progressed towards the root system periphery, thereby changing locations of maximum root water uptake and shifting to root zone regions with minimum soil water stress.

Untitled Poem 130, and: Untitled Poem 140, and: Untitled Poem 148, and: Untitled Poem 178, and: Untitled Poem 179, and: Untitled Poem 193, and: Untitled Poem 201, and: Untitled Poem 215, and: Untitled Poem 477, and: Untitled Poem 485 Ko Un Translated by Brother Anthony of Taizé (bio) and Lee Sang-Wha (bio) untitled poem 130 All are animals. Anything, whatever it may be, among all things, and its neutrons, too, are animals. Ah, that empty sky, my lust, is an animal. Those deaths, transcendence of I, are animals. A snippet from today’s diary. Plants, too, are animals. Wind, water, or something turns leaves and branches and trunks of trees and even the crown of roots beneath the ground, even the crown of branches above the ground into animals. Fire, too, is an animal. When something catches fire, the oxygen in the air arrives promptly to keep the fire alive and vigorous. The world is an animal. The world is a temptation to interrelation, a commitment to relationship, relationship’s fair and unfair trade. Ah, the unconscious is more of an animal than the conscious. [End Page 114] Ah, the Persian poet Rumi is an animal. The tether of poetry he speaks of is poetry’s animal. Non-freedom, too, when handcuffs are snapped on, is ultimately an animal of liberation. The time before I write a poem and the toilet stench after a poem is written are animals, too. I am indeed antiquity, was a penniless bum in ancient times. Indeed, I was a petty thief in Byeoknando Island in Songdo in the Goryeo Dynasty, who never knew until I died that a Persian barwoman was my mother. I am more of an animal. Sleep well, my lovely animal, animals’ ink-like tears. untitled poem 140 How pitiful the world’s ten thousand years of answers and replies are! Refuse them as a stone, as a cave. Reject them as lightning, as moonlight. Suffer them as a stagnant puddle, as a naked body with shining scars. The next day, shoot out questions that cannot be answered as a sunspot, as a blind father. [End Page 115] untitled poem 148 We need a song to sing while walking along. We need a song, not a song on some extravagant stage or in a theater, but three or four of us, several of us, singing together, comforting each other, consoling each other on a weary night road. We need a song, not the ideological kind, not the military-march kind, but a sad song to sing as we walk along barefoot at night, a little remainder of an old-fashioned custom from our African ancestors. We need a song for the road, a song we sing walking together, a song like lamenting, like congratulating, like praying most dolefully, a song of my ancestors and a song of my own, an incantation transmitted over a million years, a song that is river and also fountain. We need a song which those who were sleeping in some distant village wake up with and listen to with closed eyes while waiting for new sleep to come. We need a song, a walking song that insects, stars, and dead souls, too, cherish. [End Page 116] We need a song, a song whose weight, neither low nor high, reaches the light of daybreak. On that side of the song, people sing standing, on this side of the song, people sing in a bar convivially, vigorously. I will live as a walking song. I will walk along as that song, wanting nothing more for the remaining days, if there are days remaining. untitled poem 178 While wandering I spent many days in an outdoor theater in a former Greek colony, in that ruin, in the ruins of that ruin. Ruins! Before being someone’s home, you are, above all, above all my home. Ruins of ruins! You are my mother’s mother’s womb, therefore home is home’s second generation. untitled poem 179 Stream in the Alps, who would see you on their way? Stay all on your own, a stream the color of spoiled makgeolli, then a river like the slate-gray complexion of...

The physicochemical components and functional properties of the gum exudates from the trunk of the almond tree (Prunus dulcis) have been investigated, along with the emulsification and foaming properties. The gum exudates are composed on dry weight basis by 2.45% of proteins, 0.85% of fats and 92.36% of carbohydrates. The latter consist of arabinose, xylitol, galactose and uronic acid (46.8 : 10.9 : 35.5 : 6.0 mass ratio) with traces of rhamnose, mannose and glucose. Moreover, gum exudates are rich in minerals, such as sodium, potassium, magnesium, calcium and iron. The emulsifying capacity was studied for a 20% w/w olive oil in water emulsion as a function of gum concentration (from 3% to 12% w/w in the aqueous phase) as well as pH levels (from 3.0 to 10.0). The most stable and homogeneous emulsion was prepared with an 8% w/w aqueous almond gum solution at a pH between 5.0 and 8.0. In particular, for the same formulation, the emulsion processed by high pressure homogenization (5 passes at 200 MPa) resulted to be extremely stable under accelerated ageing, exhibiting no significant change in droplet size distribution for 14 days at 55 °C. All the tested systems exhibited an extremely low foaming capacity.

Fractionation and some physicochemical properties of almond gum (Amygdalus communis L.) exudates

Pruning wounds serve as primary entry points for Ascomycota fungi that cause trunk and scaffold canker diseases in almond trees. Vintec ( Trichoderma atroviride SC1) has been demonstrated to effectively protect these wounds. It is recommended to apply Vintec to pruning wounds using a spray bottle or a manual-pressure (hand pump) backpack sprayer for direct topical application. However, while these methods are effective, they are labor-intensive and impractical for large-scale orchards, leading many growers to hesitate in adopting the product. This study evaluates the effectiveness of a conventional air blast sprayer in delivering a Trichoderma product (Vintec) to pruning wounds and determines the optimal spray volume and product concentration (rate/acre) required for adequate coverage and protection of pruning wounds.

The increasing prevalence of Phytophthora crown and trunk cankers on almond in California, especially in newly planted orchards, and pathogen resistance to older fungicides warranted the evaluation of new treatments for improved management. In two orchard trials, Nonpareil almond trees grafted on two rootstocks were soil-inoculated with Phytophthora cactorum, and the soil was treated with ethaboxam, fluopicolide, mandipropamid, oxathiapiprolin, or selected mixtures that were compared to potassium phosphite (KPO3) and mefenoxam. All fungicides except mefenoxam significantly reduced the incidence of disease. Oxathiapiprolin overall resulted in the highest reduction with few or no trees dying. Fluopicolide ranked second with efficacy similar to KPO3. Ethaboxam was the least effective. Binding of oxathiapiprolin to dry soil was demonstrated in field and laboratory studies, stressing the importance of application to pre-wetted soil followed by irrigation. In greenhouse and field studies where trunks of soil-treated trees were wound-inoculated, systemic uptake of the new Oomycota fungicides as well as of mefenoxam and KPO3 into rootstocks and scions of almond trees was evident. Our studies demonstrate that oxathiapiprolin and fluopicolide can provide highly effective control of Phytophthora crown and trunk cankers in young almond orchards. The less effective ethaboxam should be used in mixture with another fungicide such as fluopicolide. Based in part on our studies, oxathiapiprolin was registered on almond in 2021, and registration of fluopicolide, ethaboxam, and mandipropamid (nursery use only) is ongoing. With a range of modes of action available in the future, resistance management can be practiced with fungicide mixtures and rotations.

Loquat (Eriobotrya japonica) is a subtropical evergreen plant, important in terms of both horticulture and green space in the urban environment. In recent years, symptoms of branch and trunk canker, dieback and decline have been observed in the main cultivation areas of this tree in Iran. To study the aetiology of loquat canker in Fars Province, branches and trunks of loquat trees with disease symptoms were sampled from 2018 to 2019. Several isolates of an unknown Paramicrosphaeropsis species (Didymellaceae, Pleosporales, Dothideomycetes) were recovered from the trunks and branches of infected loquat trees. Phylogenetic analysis of the isolates based on a multigene phylogeny of the ribosomal internal transcribed spacer (ITS), partial β‐tubulin gene (tub2) and the second‐largest subunit of RNA polymerase II (rpb2) loci revealed that the isolates belonged to a new taxon, Paramicrosphaeropsis eriobotryae sp. nov. Pathogenicity tests revealed that this species was able to cause canker, trunk flaking, dieback, decline, leaf yellowing, defoliation and growth reduction in loquat trees. A host range evaluation on detached branches of some important horticultural trees occurring adjacent to loquat tree orchards of Fars Province showed that P. eriobotryae might have a broader host range, as it was also able to infect almond and olive trees.

Off-target herbicide drift away from rice is historically a concern in California, where susceptible crops such as orchards and vineyards are nearby. Tetflupyrolimet is a potent inhibitor of dihydroorotate dehydrogenase that provides excellent grass weed control in rice cropping systems. In efforts to steward tetflupyrolimet before its registration in California, this research was conducted to compare the onset of foliar symptoms from tetflupyrolimet applications onto almond, grapevine, peach, pistachio, plum, and walnut. Tetflupyrolimet was applied to these tree and vine crops at fractional rates of 1/200×, 1/100×, 1/33×, and 1/10× of the 125 g ai ha–1 recommended use rate on rice. Almond, pistachio, and walnut trees also received 1× of the use rate. Tetflupyrolimet treatments were applied on one side of 3- to 4-yr-old almond, peach, pistachio, plum, and walnut trees, and on one side of 25- to 26-yr-old grapevines in 2022 and 2023. Visible injury ratings were carried out weekly to assess symptomology throughout the growing seasons and at leaf-out the following springs. Tree trunk diameter was recorded before and after herbicide applications. No injury was observed to any tested crops, regardless of the tetflupyrolimet application rate. In all orchard crops, tree trunk diameter was not affected by tetflupyrolimet treatments. Likewise, grape yield was not reduced even at the 1/10× tetflupyrolimet fractional rate. Since no injury symptoms were recorded, this research suggests that tetflupyrolimet can be safely used on nearby rice fields and might be a target for future registration consideration for use on orchard and vineyard crops.

Orchard experiments were conducted to evaluate chemical treatments for management of perennial cankers caused by Phytophthora cactorum and P. citricola on almond (Prunus dulcis) in the San Joaquin Valley of California. Single preventive foliar sprays with phosphonate were tested by wounding and inoculating tree trunks and branches with either pathogen at time intervals from 15 days to 5 months after spraying. One to 3 months after inoculation, resulting cankers were measured. Preventive foliar sprays with phosphonate in the fall or spring suppressed development of cankers for up to 5 months after treatment; mean canker lengths on the trees sprayed with phosphonate before inoculation were 22 to 98% smaller than those on trees that received no phosphonate. In subsequent tests, preventive chemigation with phosphonate in spring or summer also inhibited canker expansion. A curative topical treatment with either fosetyl-Al or mefenoxam on cankers caused by P. cactorum or P. citricola reduced canker expansion by 36 to 88%. Neither preventive nor therapeutic treatments eradicated the pathogens from the diseased tissues, but disease ratings made 1 year after the treatments indicated extended disease suppression. Phosphonate and mefenoxam treatments can effectively manage almond scion cankers caused by P. cactorum or P. citricola.

Symptoms of union mild etch (UME) disease appeared on young trees of almond (Prunus dulcis) and consisted of light green to yellow drooped leaves that detached prematurely from current-season shoots otherwise exhibiting normal growth and development. Concomitantly, a mild etching was observed in the woody cylinder at the junction of the almond scions and the plum rootstock, Marianna 2624 (P. cerasifera x P. munsoniana). Affected trees were diagnosed in several orchards; one orchard had a 75% incidence and some trees died the same year they were diagnosed. However, many trees appeared to recover, with partial or complete lack of symptoms. Transmission attempts by grafting bud chips and bark patches to healthy almond/Marianna 2624 trees proved unsuccessful. Similarly, assays for viral, phytoplasma, and root rot pathogens were negative. The causal agent of UME is currently unknown. Measurements of tree trunks and nut harvests over four seasons showed that UME-affected Mission trees had significantly lower yields and less vegetative growth than healthy trees.

The use of plant indicators may be the ideal method for irrigation scheduling but it is hampered by the dynamic nature of plant water status and by the lack of suitable indicators, relative to established scheduling methods based on atmospheric and soil observations. A study was conducted in an almond orchard located in the San Joaquin Valley of California during the 2001 season using trunk diameter variations as the only indicator for determining the amount of irrigation. The ratio of the maximum daily shrinkage (MDS) of tree trunks relative to a reference MDS, calculated from a relationship between MDS of fully irrigated trees and atmospheric vapor pressure deficit, was used as a signal for modifying the amount of applied irrigation water. Applied water was increased by 10% each time the MDS signal exceeded the prescribed threshold. When the MDS signal went below the threshold, applied water was reduced by 10% in an interactive manner. Two schedules were tested with signal thresholds of 1.75 and 2.75, which generated mild and moderate water stress, respectively, as indicated by their stem water potential (SWP) values. The two irrigation treatments had SWP that varied over the season from around −0.7 to −1.1 MPa and −0.8 to −1.7 MPa, respectively. The two schedules resulted in seasonal water applications of 860 mm for the 1.75 and 525 mm for the 2.75 signal threshold treatments. The grower/cooperator, who based his schedule primarily on SWP measurements but also considered the water balance, applied 900 mm. Estimated crop evapotranspiration was 1,030 mm. The mean coefficients of variation for the two irrigation treatments during the monitoring period were 0.115 and 0.031 for the MDS and SWP measurements, respectively. The stress produced by the irrigation treatments hastened fruit maturation, as evidenced by accelerated hull splitting. This resulted in lower fruit hydration just prior to harvest; 17.3% and 8.0% for the two irrigation schedules, respectively, compared with 27.3% for the grower/cooperator. Based on harvesting selected trees with the same nut load, fresh and dry nut weights in the 2.75 threshold treatment were 9.0% and 10.7% less than those of the 1.75 threshold, which were not significantly different from the results for the grower cooperator. Our results demonstrate that it is feasible to develop an irrigation schedule for almond trees based solely on MDS signals, which may be tailored to any desired stress pattern and be operated in full automation with appropriate software development.

Irrigation takes considerable amount of water; however, in many cases up to half of it is wasted. Improving the efficiency of irrigation control, therefore, is an important task for sustainable water management. Most existing irrigation control systems are based on soil moisture level. In this work, we explore theoretically the use of continuous values stem water potential (SWP) as a basis for control. SWP is a more direct measure of plant water status than the soil moisture level. After linearizing and discretizing a nonlinear dynamic model of water dynamics in a plant, we develop a model predictive control (MPC) framework for regulating SWP. To prevent plants from suffering water stress, data-driven robust MPC (DDRMPC) which captures the uncertainty of weather forecast error is implemented. A case study based on almond tree is presented to characterize the effectiveness of the DDRMPC strategy relative to on-off control. Sensitivity analysis on the prediction horizon and penalty weights were performed to investigate the varying irrigation control decisions. For the case characterized, the analysis shows that controlling tree trunk water potential through DDRMPC can save 2.5% amount of water comparing to on-off control while maintaining zero violation.

Pyroxasulfone is a very long chain fatty acid (VLCFA) inhibitor (group 15) with potential for preemergence weed control in orchard crops and would be beneficial for reducing selection pressure for resistance to more commonly used herbicides, such as glyphosate. Pyroxasulfone is registered and widely used in corn and soybeans in the United States as a solo product and in several premix formulations. However, there is limited published information on the performance and safety of pyroxasulfone in tree nut orchard systems. To assess the potential fit for pyroxasulfone in this crop sector, a series of crop safety and weed control efficacy experiments were carried out in key California orchard crops and in fallow fields with common orchard weeds. The non-crop studies were conducted near Davis, CA, to evaluate winter annual weed control with pyroxasulfone in comparison with pendimethalin and indaziflam. In addition, an irrigation incorporation experiment was conducted in summer to evaluate the effects of incorporation timing on pyroxasulfone, pendimethalin, and indaziflam efficacy as a measure of relative stability. Orchard weed control experiments were conducted in spring in an almond orchard near Arbuckle, CA, and a walnut orchard near Davis, CA. The orchard experiments included pyroxasulfone, pendimethalin, and indaziflam in various rate combinations with glufosinate. To evaluate crop safety, 2-year experiments were conducted to evaluate repeated applications of above-label rates of pyroxasulfone at 1199 g·ha −1 and S-metolachlor at 14,010 g·ha −1 on 1- to 2-year-old almond, pistachio, and walnut trees near Davis. Pyroxasulfone performed similarly to commercial standards with up to 95% control of broadleaf and grass weeds with pyroxasulfone and indaziflam providing 96% to 100% control of annual bluegrass, and pyroxasulfone (293 g·ha −1 ) being the only herbicide to suppress (>70%) common lambsquarters at 60 days after treatment (DAT). Other weeds controlled by pyroxasulfone include swinecress, redroot pigweed, yellow nutsedge, and Italian ryegrass. No differences were found among treatments in the incorporation timing study indicating adequate stability on the soil surface under summer conditions. Crop injury was not observed in the established orchards or the young orchard studies and there were no treatment effects on tree trunk diameter of almond, pistachio, and walnut in the 2-year crop safety experiments. These results indicate a potential for pyroxasulfone in California tree nut orchard systems that would be an additional site of action and beneficial for management of herbicide-resistant weeds in these crops.