Issue link: http://read.dmtmag.com/i/61297
QUICK BITES Go to www.goodfruit.com for the latest industry news. Call for: • TREES • ROOTSTOCK • INTERSTEMS result of a commitment of $27 million made recently by the Washington pome fruit industries. The money will come from a special research assessment on growers. One of the positions is an endowed chair in tree fruit physiology and production sys- WSU begins faculty search W • BENCH GRAFTS • SLEEPING EYES • ROYALTIES tems, based at the Tree Fruit Research and Extension Center in Wenatchee. This person will work on practical fruit production issues that will enhance the profitability and com- petitiveness of the Washington apple and pear industry. Areas of research may include crop load management, training systems, rootstock/scion interactions, drought and nutrient stresses, flowering and fruit set, plant growth regulators, physiological aspects of orchard system performance, whole tree photosynthesis, and cold or heat tolerance. WSU molecular biologist Dr. Amit Dhingra is chair of the search committee, which will begin screening applications for the physiologist position on April 22. The target hiring date is September 1. The second new position is extension tree fruit program leader, who will lead efforts to disseminate information and technologies from WSU's expanding tree fruit research programs and develop an applied research and extension program that relates to major issues or opportunities in the tree fruit industry. This position can be based either in Wenatchee or at the Irrigated Agriculture Research and Extension Center in Prosser. Screening of applications will begin on May 13, with a target hiring date of August 16. TOP QUALITY VIRUS TESTED VERY COMPETITIVE PRICING CONTRACTS FOR 2013, 2014, 2015 Custom Contracted Apple, Pear, Cherry & Peach Trees A TIMELY REMINDER: • Time to order 2013 Dormant Eyes, 2014 and 2015 Trees, and 2013 Rootstocks. Paul Tvergyak: 509-669-0689 ptvergyak@genext.net We ship nationwide, so please call for price and availability! 509/662-6931 www.cameronnursery.com 1261 Ringold Rd., PO Box 300 • Eltopia, WA 99330 6 APRIL 15, 2012 GOOD FRUIT GROWER grape growers. Researchers from the Los Alamos National Laboratory, University of California, and A U.S. Department of Agriculture created specially engineered grapevines that produce a hybrid antimicrobial protein that can block Xf infection. The research was published in the February 20 edition of Proceedings of the National Academy of Sciences. By helping the vine fight the microbe with specific proteins, growers may be able to reduce pesticide sprays currently used to control the glassy-winged sharpshooter, an insect with a wide host range that carries the disease. Early in an XFinfection, molecules on the outer membrane of the microbe interact with cells of the grapevine. By interfer- ing with that interaction, scientists can help the vines block the disease and go on to produce a healthy crop of grapes, according to a news release. The antimicrobial gene may also protect other plants from Xf-related diseases, such as phony peach disease, plum leaf scald, almond leaf scorch, and citrus X disease in Brazil. Fruit Commission announces appointments T he Washington State Fruit Commission has asked the Washington State Department of Agriculture to reappoint five board members whose terms expire in May: Tate Mathison and Mike Wade from the northern district, and Mark Roy, Mark Zirkle, and Peter Verbrugge from the southern district. The commission is required to submit two nominations for the Agriculture Director to consider for each position. Alternates nom- inated are: Mike Taylor and Danny Gebbers for the northern positions, and Rick Derrey, Eric Monson, and Robert Kershaw for the southern positions. Mike Wade has been reappointed as the Washington State Fruit Commission's repre- sentative on the Northwest Horticultural Council's board of trustees for the coming year. Gip Redman has been reappointed as the commission's representative on the Hort Council's Science Advisory Committee for a two-year term. Rob Lynch was reappointed to represent the Fruit Commission on the board of the Washington Tree Fruit Research Commission, serving a three-year term. Hybrid protein blocks Pierce's disease team of researchers has found a way to engineer grapevines to block Xylella fastidiosa, a bacterium that causes Pierce's disease and poses a significant threat to ashington State University is seeking candidates for two faculty positions that have been created as a www.goodfruit.com QUALITY FRUIT TREES ! HIGHEST