Accession Number:

AD0743524

Title:

Effects of Fallout on Agricultural Ecosystems in California.

Descriptive Note:

Technical Report

Corporate Author:

CALIFORNIA UNIV RIVERSIDE RIVERSIDE United States

Personal Author(s):

• Stern,Vernon M.
• Toscano,Nicholas

Report Date:

1972-05-01

Pagination or Media Count:

96.0

Abstract:

A survey was made of the major food crops grown in California and the areas where these crops are grown. The mobility of the major insect and mite pests attacking these crops was used as a basis for predicting their reinvasion potentials, i.e., the ability of insects to repopulate an area in which they had been eradicated. The data of elapsed time for recolonization after theoretical elimination from fallout, indicate that most pest insects will be capable of continuing competition with man for food crops following nuclear disaster. Radiation from fallout by the detonation of nuclear weapons on potential targets in California could destroy many insects and crops in large parts of the central and southern agricultural areas. The distribution of the fallout from even very heavy attacks is believed to be such that areas of low fallout occur throughout the state, and in them reservoirs of surviving insect pests will exist. Upon resumption of agriculture, reinfestation by these pests will cause significant losses of potential food production if pesticides are not available or if other insect control measures are restricted.

Descriptors:

• ECOLOGY
• FALLOUT
• AGRICULTURE
• PEST CONTROL
• AGRICULTURE) PLANTS(BOTANY)
• TREES
• VEGETABLES
• ENTOMOLOGY
• ARTHROPODA
• RADIATION TOLERANCE

Subject Categories:

• Radioactivity, Radioactive Wastes and Fission Products

Distribution Statement:

APPROVED FOR PUBLIC RELEASE