Potential impacts of the ring nematode, , on grapevines in British Columbia: a microplot study.

The Okanagan Valley of British Columbia hosts a wine grape industry that has grown substantially in the past three decades in terms of both acreage and economic benefit to the region. The ring nematode, , has recently been found to be widespread in vineyard soils in the region. This study used field microplots to assess the potential impacts of a local population of on the first four years growth of either self-rooted 'Merlot' or 'Merlot' vines grafted onto three commonly used rootstocks: 3309C, 44-53M, and Riparia Gloire.

Dynamics of the impacts of on Gisela® cherry rootstocks.

Sweet cherry growers are increasingly using semi-dwarfing rootstocks, including the Gisela® series, when replanting orchards. Little is known of the susceptibility of these new cherry rootstocks to , a recognized pest of temperate fruit trees worldwide. Two field experiments were planted in 2010, one in the Okanagan Valley of British Columbia and one in the Annapolis Valley of Nova Scotia.

Soil Aggregate Dynamics and Plant Community Response after Biosolids Application in a Semiarid Grassland.

Biosolids may improve the ecological function of degraded semiarid grasslands, but an understanding of the plant community is essential. An experiment was established in 2001 to determine the effects of a single surface application of biosolids on soil aggregate stability and the composition of the plant community in a semiarid grassland in British Columbia, Canada. Four treatments were evaluated: (i) surface biosolids application at 20 (Bio-20) and (ii) 60 Mg ha (Bio-60), (iii) mineral fertilizer, and (iv) a control.