Project Description
Summer Fruits & New Varieties
Featured stories about summer fruit and new varieties appear in this issue.
Cornell forms research alliance with processor Mott’s
Mott’s will have first option on new processed apple varieties in exchange for financial support of Cornell’s apple breeding program. Cornell University has entered into
Canadian growers hire Mexican workers
While the United States struggles to accommodate the tide of migrants seeking opportunities and a better life north of the border, some migrants are seeking
Guest worker requirements
Tree fruit growers in the British Columbia’s Okanagan Valley typically require about 3,300 seasonal workers annually. But working with foreign migrants who come to Canada
Northwest forecasts manageable pear crop
The Pacific Northwest pear industry is forecasting a 2006 crop of 17.5 million boxes, down from 18 million boxes a year ago. At the annual
Upright peach plantings are productive
Peach trees with a pillar growth habit can be planted much more densely than standard peach trees to reap some of the benefits of intensive
Cable ties tested as alternative to knife girdling
Unlike repeated knife girdling, a plastic tie does no damage to the tree. It is applied in the winter and removed after harvest to allow
New subacid varieties fill gaps in supply
The recently released Honey May nectarine, a yellow-fleshed subacid variety, ripens in early May. White-fleshed peaches and nectarines have become extremely popular in the Pacific
Approval sought for genetically modified plum
These transgenic plums contain a gene that makes them resistant to plum pox virus. Photo by Scott Bauer, USDA Agricultural Research Service A genetically modified plum
Genomics are key to improving fruit varieties
Genetics and genomics have been buzz words in the tree fruit industry since the Tree Fruit Technology Roadmap named them top priorities five years ago,
New rules for securing fruit bins on trucks
The Washington State Patrol has begun enforcing new cargo securement rules that were put in place two years ago. Up to July 31 this year,
Researcher identifies ripening gene in peach
A California researcher is identifying the genes in peaches that control internal quality, in an attempt to increase consumer satisfaction with peaches. Dr. Cameron Peace,
Washington’s oldest nursery turns 100
Richared, one of the first red sports of the Delicious apple, was discovered in the Monitor, Washington, orchard of Jack Richardson (crouched, center). Every apple
Nurseries and marketers work together on new varieties
Washington State nurseries who are members of the International New- Varieties Network are preparing for the release of Rubens in North America. The Gala-Elstar cross
Funding for new grape research facility in New York
New York’s wine and grape industries fared well in the recently approved state budget and will receive $5.3 million to construct a new research and
Kiku
During a trip to Japan in 1990, Luis Braun, a grower in Italy's South Tyrol district, discovered a branch in a Fuji orchard with apples
Study the pros and cons of club varieties
Club varieties have both advantages and disadvantages that might not be apparent at first, so growers should carefully study the contracts before signing, Randy Steensma
Eden
Eden, a new apple with flesh that is slow to turn brown, is compared with MacSpur, on the right. A dark red apple with pure
Sunburn-reducing films compared
Research trials comparing various protective films for reducing sunburn in apples show variable results, which is typical of what growers have been finding, says Tom
New company to distribute Surround
A new company called Advan LLC will distribute Surround (kaolin) crop protectant in specialty agriculture markets in the United States. Engelhard Corporation, which manufactures Surround,
Patent Office narrows Surround patent
Apples—leaves and fruit—covered with Surround. Photo by Dick Lehnert Changes to Engelhard Corporation’s patent for Surround (a particle film made from kaolin clay) may open the
Falcons put on show for starlings
The Saker falcon circles a couple hundred feet away, intent on a bird-size leather bundle fashioned to resemble a pair of small wings. Containing a
Kestrels scare off cherry-thieving birds
Ben Dover sells kestrel boxes mainly to cherry growers, though they’re also catching on with grape, apple, and blueberry growers. Some enterprising business people are
Right-to-farm rulings have serious implications
Tree fruit industry groups are alarmed by an appeals court decision that could impact the right to farm. In 1991, Michael Taylor bought an apple
Aerial imagery used in selective grape harvesting
Color infrared imagery is useful in learning about the health status of leafy plant material. But can it be used to selectively harvest wine grapes,
Ronald Schmidt was a positive influence
Cherry grower and winery owner Ronald Schmidt of Zillah, Washington, will be remembered as an upbeat and positive industry leader who had a passion
Recycling plays a role in orchard management
Plastic film, fertilizer, and treated fence posts often end up in burn piles and can pollute the air with cancer-causing substances. It’s important to have
Apple and pear breeding down under
Members of the Washington Tree Fruit Research Commission's study tour stand in front of HortResearch Havelock North (from left): Chuck Peters, Ray Schmitten, Kyle Mathison