Project Description
Control of Diseases & Disorders
Featured stories about diseases and disorders appear in this issue.
Diversify to survive
Apricots are still the mainstay at Lucich and Santos Farms, though only one Tilton apricot tree remains from what used to be the primary variety
The Spoils of Winter
From November through February, icy winter winds reach down from the Arctic and grip the Pacific Northwest where Good Fruit Grower is based. During the
A dreaded virus
Plum pox virus, a stone fruit disease first found in the United States eight years ago, has the potential to spread to major fruit-growing regions
Mildew develops resistance
Cherry powdery mildew is developing resistance to common fungicides in some Pacific Northwest orchards, according to preliminary data from Oregon State University. Powdery mildew isolates
Apple Matters
With almost two months of 2007 behind us, there is still room to peer into the crystal ball at the challenges and opportunities that the
Plum pox in Michigan
The lone discovery of plum pox virus in a peach tree in Michigan State University's tree fruit breeding program puts significant constraints on the program,
New network to assure virus-free plants
A proposed National Clean Plant Network would help protect the United States from exotic plant pests and pathogens. Provisions for the network are contained in
Easy steps help reduce brown rot
Simple cultural practices can dramatically help reduce brown rot pressure in stone fruit orchards, but fungicides will also be necessary for control. Eradication is impossible
Too hot for fireblight?
Scientists in Washington State are reassessing fireblight control strategies following the 2006 season, when there were surprisingly few outbreaks. In theory, after widespread fireblight in
Avoiding bleach damage to fruit
Research in California has shown that the liquid bleach sodium hypochlorite, which is commonly used in apple packing systems, can cause skin damage on apples.
Should there be quality standards for red cherries?
The 2006 Pacific Northwest cherry season was mixed, with some areas hit by rain and high temperatures that resulted in poor quality. Cherry packers shipped
Sweet potential
Despite a less than stellar sweet cherry season last year, marketers are optimistic about the coming crop and expect retailer enthusiasm to return as long
Final chapter for apricots?
The versatile Patterson variety is the most widely planted apricot in California and can be used in fresh and processed markets. California's processed apricot industry,
Beware of grapevine yellows
Wine grapes infected by Flavescence dorée, showing brown, shrivelled fruits. The discovery of the disease Bois noir in a South Okanagan vineyard late in 2006
Bois noir is a big concern
With the recent find of a new phytoplasma disease north of the Washington State-Canada border, grape growers should be extra vigilant of what's happening in
Grape disorder shrivels profits
Berry shrivel, a problem in vineyards around the world, results in sour-tasting grapes that are unwanted by wineries. Berry shrivel, a grape disorder causing problems
Grape growers surveyed on shrivel
Berry shrivel affects between 5 to 10 percent of Washington's grape crop, according to a recent Washington State University survey. Questions about the disorder were
Resistant varieties in the pipeline
Dr. Jim Olmstead, manager of Washington State University's cherry breeding program at Prosser, has developed two new cherry varieties which may be resistant to powdery
Last Bite: So Good You Can Eat Them in the Dark!
Stubbs Fruit & Storage Company was founded in 1920 and enjoyed, perhaps, the most phenomenal growth of any fruit business in the Pacific Northwest. A