Project Description
New Equipment & Technology
Featured stories about new equipment and technology appear in this issue.
Czech variety list
Plzeň, Czech Republic. During the Soviet era, historic buildings were neglected and functional apartments were built. The Czech Republic has a relatively modest apple industry,
Precision pest control
Former Washington State University scientist Dr. Michio Kise shows the multipurpose autonomous sprayer, under development by Dr. Fran Pierce, to Washington growers at a winter
So many rootstock choices
Prior to the mid-1990s, nearly all sweet cherries in the Pacific Northwest were grown on Mazzard rootstock. However, in recent years, several new rootstocks have
Machinery is their specialty
Left: This sprayer has a tank large enough to cover 50 acres, and has a mower. Right: This bin transporter loads and unloads bins automatically.
Harvesting cherries over the row
Michigan State University researchers are testing various harvesting equipment on tart cherries that aren't amendable to traditional trunk shaking harvesters. This Korvan blueberry harvester, showing
New tool to manage harvest
The powerful instrument 1-MCP (methylcyclopropene) is used to retain the firmness of apples in cold storage. But the product also shows potential as a tool
Fruit cracking interaction
In his study of the preharvest use of 1-MCP (methylcyclopropene) on apples, Dr. Jim Schupp observed some phytotoxic issues in Golden Delicious that "caused us
From panacea to pandemonium?
New Zealand fruit grower and shipper Paul Paynter predicts that the big trend in the next 15 years will be deglobalization. Will a plethora of
Family wineries
The growth of Washington's viticulture scene in the past decade has been extraordinary. There are now nearly 600 wineries in operation, making it the second
Water status influence on aromas
A vine's water potential can also have an effect on berry composition and aroma compounds, says Dr. Andrew Reynolds of Brock University in Ontario, Canada.
Farming for aromas
Growers know that viticultural practices influence a whole host of things in the vineyard, such as yield, berry size, disease incidence, and grape color. But
Floral and fruity, or bell peppers and beans?
When you sniff a glass of red wine, fruity and floral aromas should come to mind—not green beans and bell peppers. New research shows that
New Zealand bred
Prevar has assigned exclusive rights for a new apple variety bred in New Zealand to a company called T193 Limited. The bicolored apple is a
Concern for small growers
Managers of club apple varieties dismiss the notion that small growers will be locked out of their programs. Dr. Terence Robinson, horticulturist with Cornell University,
How to best condition pears
Dr. Gene Kupferman has a dream of having every piece of fruit that leaves Washington State be edible and ready (or nearly ready) to eat.
Good Point – Andrew Landers
Left: An adjustable air outlet keeps the spray cloud in the trees. Right: Ultra sonic sensors determine absence, presence, or height The use of pesticides
Czech variety list
Plzeň, Czech Republic. During the Soviet era, historic buildings were neglected and functional apartments were built. The Czech Republic has a relatively modest apple industry,
Precision pest control
Former Washington State University scientist Dr. Michio Kise shows the multipurpose autonomous sprayer, under development by Dr. Fran Pierce, to Washington growers at a winter
So many rootstock choices
Prior to the mid-1990s, nearly all sweet cherries in the Pacific Northwest were grown on Mazzard rootstock. However, in recent years, several new rootstocks have
Machinery is their specialty
Left: This sprayer has a tank large enough to cover 50 acres, and has a mower. Right: This bin transporter loads and unloads bins automatically.
Harvesting cherries over the row
Michigan State University researchers are testing various harvesting equipment on tart cherries that aren't amendable to traditional trunk shaking harvesters. This Korvan blueberry harvester, showing
New tool to manage harvest
The powerful instrument 1-MCP (methylcyclopropene) is used to retain the firmness of apples in cold storage. But the product also shows potential as a tool
Fruit cracking interaction
In his study of the preharvest use of 1-MCP (methylcyclopropene) on apples, Dr. Jim Schupp observed some phytotoxic issues in Golden Delicious that "caused us
From panacea to pandemonium?
New Zealand fruit grower and shipper Paul Paynter predicts that the big trend in the next 15 years will be deglobalization. Will a plethora of
Family wineries
The growth of Washington's viticulture scene in the past decade has been extraordinary. There are now nearly 600 wineries in operation, making it the second
Water status influence on aromas
A vine's water potential can also have an effect on berry composition and aroma compounds, says Dr. Andrew Reynolds of Brock University in Ontario, Canada.
Farming for aromas
Growers know that viticultural practices influence a whole host of things in the vineyard, such as yield, berry size, disease incidence, and grape color. But
Floral and fruity, or bell peppers and beans?
When you sniff a glass of red wine, fruity and floral aromas should come to mind—not green beans and bell peppers. New research shows that
New Zealand bred
Prevar has assigned exclusive rights for a new apple variety bred in New Zealand to a company called T193 Limited. The bicolored apple is a
Concern for small growers
Managers of club apple varieties dismiss the notion that small growers will be locked out of their programs. Dr. Terence Robinson, horticulturist with Cornell University,
How to best condition pears
Dr. Gene Kupferman has a dream of having every piece of fruit that leaves Washington State be edible and ready (or nearly ready) to eat.
Good Point – Andrew Landers
Developing precision canopy sprayers