This article summarizes the current status of organic vegetable production practices in California. The production of vegetables organically is growing rapidly in California, led in large part by growth in the market demand for organically grown produce. Key aspects of organic vegetable production operations such as certification and farm production planning, soil management, weed management, insect management, and plant disease management involve special practices. Many practices have not been thoroughly researched and the scientific base for some practices is still being developed.

The major production areas for iceberg (crisphead) lettuce (Lactuca sativa) in California are the Central Coast

The efficacy of Serenade, Maneb, Cuprofix, and mixtures of these products were evaluated for efficacy in reducing disease incidence and severity of bacterial leaf spot of lettuce caused by Xanthomonas campestris pv. vitians in six trials at two locations between 2001 and 2003. Additionally, Messenger, elemental copper, Quadris, and Actigard were evaluated in at least two of these trials. Mixtures of Serenade and Cuprofix reduced disease incidence in three of six experiments and reduced disease severity in a fourth experiment. Treatment with the Maneb and Cuprofix mixture was less effective but resulted in significantly less disease and lower severity in single experiments. These results indicate that a mixture of Serenade and Cuprofix may be a useful addition to an integrated bacterial leaf spot disease management strategy but this treatment may be too variable to justify it as a stand-alone treatment. Accepted for publication 21 October 2005. Published 21 November 2005.

The two main growing regions for celery (Apium graveolens L.) in California are located along the Pacific Ocean: the south coast (Ventura, Santa Barbara, and San Luis Obispo Counties) and the central coast (Monterey, San Benito, and Santa Cruz Counties). A minor region is located in the southern deserts (Riverside and Imperial Counties). On the south coast, celery is transplanted from early August to April for harvest from November to mid-July; in the Santa Maria area, celery is transplanted from January to August for harvest from April through December. On the central coast, fields are transplanted from March to September for harvest from late June to late December. In the southern deserts, fields are transplanted in late August for harvest in December to March.

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