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Brittany Komm, a young grower from East Wenatchee, Washington
Brittany is the senior viticulturist — also known as the “grape lady” — at Precept Wine Brands. She obtained her graduate degree at Washington State University.
Stress for success with Honeycrisp
Summer water deficits can cause Honeycrisp fruit size to skew a little smaller, which can reduce bitter pit incidence.
Irrigation insights
Water stress sensor technologies offer more accurate assessments for when growers should irrigate, and how much.
Elemental questions about calcium and potassium
Researchers grapple with delicate balance between calcium and potassium.
Growing from there to here
MSU horticulture professor examines the cherry tree’s journey from giant to UFO.
Microbiome boost
Symbiotic microbes found inside wild poplar and willow fix nitrogen for their hosts and appear to confer the same benefits to many crops.
Destination Washington
International orchard groups plan tour, research conference.
Legumes win cover contest
Research shows legume cover crops boost tree growth better than grass.
Mass traps making fatal attractions
Trials show promise for spotted wing drosophila control with juice-baited traps and mass trapping of Japanese beetles.
Building a better bee
WSU entomologists use bee semen collected from around the world as part of breeding project to improve genetics of honey bees.
New wine grape varieties from old genetics
Generations of back-crossing with traditional European wine cultivars yields new Pierce’s disease-resistant selections with high wine quality.
Codling moth comeback
Growers try variety of methods to check a possible codling moth resurgence.
It’s a matter of timing for codling moths
Entomologist reminds growers to use all the tools on time.
Parasitic wasps invited to a BMSB buffet
Samurai wasp releases seek to slice down population of brown marmorated stink bug.
No napkins needed with neat peaches
New varieties from the Rutgers University breeding program offer good flavor in a firmer fruit that’s less messy for consumers.
A passion for pear psylla love songs — Video
WSU researchers record pear psylla vibrations to develop mating disruption.
Healthy farms need healthy farmers
Stress management tools aim to help farmers cultivate resilience and make good decisions during tough times.
Good to Know: Reflections on the elder statesmen of apple and pear IPM
The integrated pest management foundation that entomologists Stan Hoyt and Everett Burts built decades ago still supports growers today.
Apple scab study aims for disease-resistant genes
Cornell pathologist studies the genetics of trees and pathogens to help breeders win the genetic arms race.
Fighting fungicide failure
WSU research finds resistance emerging to key postharvest fungicides — pathologist says sanitation strategies are needed to protect fruit.
Frozen leaves can affect wine flavors
Widespread frost damage hits Washington wine grape growers, raising concerns about how frozen canopy impacts quality.
IFTA Day 2: Innovation in the cold
IFTA tour highlights modern training systems.
Cosmic Crisp soars at launch
After years of research and branding buildup, the first Cosmic Crisps hit the market.
A robot’s rules for pruning — Video
Robotic harvest remains the Holy Grail of orchard automation, but researchers continue their pursuit of pruning technology.
Support the tech pipeline — Video
Carnegie Mellon scientist explains why supporting new technology is so important for the agriculture industry.
Scharlau: Ensuring clean plant sustainability
National Clean Plant Network vital to success of the grape, hop and tree fruit industries.
WA 2 legal battles escalate
WSU files against Yakima grower for patent infringement of apple.
New pear geneticist hired
Jessica Waite, a postdoctoral research associate at Washington State University, has been hired by the
Systems trial asks: 2D or not 2D? — Video
Cornell systems trial puts the question to robot-ready canopies and the production costs of growing narrow fruiting walls.
Space satellites also good for grapes
Microsatellites made for orbit have agricultural applications.
ReTain can boost shy-bearing apples
MSU trial studies effects of growth regulator on SweeTango.
Bitter pit suppression is all about timing — Video
Apogee applied at pink stage is a grower’s best bet.
Embracing opportunity at Washington Winegrowers
Wine grape growers prepare for annual convention in March.
Good to Know: Spotted lanternfly risk regions mapped
New analysis shows suitable habitat for invasive sapsucker in Washington’s wine grape and tree fruit production regions.
Hansen: A lot to look forward to
Eight great reasons to be excited about V&E research.
Cultivars with reputations for storage complications
Both Gala and Honeycrisp are susceptible to storage disorders, require more care in postharvest.
Harvester makes sort work in the orchard
Experimental machine capable of separating fresh, cull apples could reduce postharvest handling costs.
Rootstocks from Krymsk, Russia, with love
The peach and cherry rootstock program owes its success to a family of breeders taking advantage of their home in the heart of wild Prunus diversity.
Pear packers see the future on the line
State-of-the-art pear technology stars in Mount Adams Fruit upgrade after fire rebuild; other packers are following suit.
Fungicide resistance a growing concern
Michigan grape growers must take steps to manage powdery mildew, botrytis bunch rot.
Sun stress has growers sun wary
With sun damage a key factor in cull fruit for the Washington industry, new WSU research aims to better understand the physiology of sun stress.
Hotter climate alters the cold chain
Maturity metrics may not yield the usual results for fruit grown in warmer-than-usual growing seasons.
Apple, pear and technology research reviews coming up
Washington Tree Fruit Research Commission invites attendance at annual research reviews.
Big plans for more mayhaws
Florida grower aims to bring traditional Southern treasure to the wider world.
Getting misty for evaporative cooling
WSU researcher works on evaporative cooling for wine grapes.
Washington State University hires new extension specialist
Jenny Bolivar-Medina Late last fall, Washington State University hired Jenny Bolivar-Medina for a new position
WSU Tree Fruit Endowment fully funded
Assessments will end for apple and pear growers on Jan. 21.
Good to Know: Risk reduction proven
WSU researchers demonstrate that routine export quarantine sufficiently controls powdery mildew pathogen on fresh sweet cherries.
China ramps up cherries
Presentation about Chinese production increases highlights Cherry Institute.
SnapDragon takes another bite of acreage
New York keeps RubyFrost expansion on hold for now.