Issue link: https://read.dmtmag.com/i/473131
40 MARCH 15, 2015 GOOD FRUIT GROWER www.goodfruit.com R esearchers at the University of Adelaide in Australia are using a bee-delivery system to prevent brown rot in cherry orchards. The technology has been used in Europe to control strawberry gray mold, but in this application it could lead to effective disease control in grape, apple, pear, stone fruit, and other fruit crops. "All commercial cherry growers spray during fl owering to control the later development of cherry brown rot," said Dr. Katja Hogendoorn, a bee researcher in the universi- ty's School of Agriculture, Food, and Wine. She's leader of the program called Bees as Flying Doctors that developed the non-spray method. "Instead of spraying fungicide, we're using bees to deliver a biological control agent right to the fl owers Controlled pollination for tree fruits is an essential part of assuring an optimal set. Harry's Pollen Service utilizes only high quality pollen, genetic science, and pollination technology for providing the best possible mix specific to each fruit variety. Harry's Pollen Service is a proud dealer of Fusion 360, Inc.'s patented pollination technology SureSet-Apex. SureSet-Apex can increase set by increasing pollen tube growth rate, bee activity and flower mineral nutrition. CONTACT Harry's Pollen Service TODAY AT (509) 663-9995 For more information on Fusion 360's Technologies visit www.fusion360inc.com Pollen Application and Sales Pollination Flying DOCTORS Honeybees deliver brown rot control to sweet cherry orchards. by Richard Lehnert TOM HUNTLEY /HOGENDOORN Katja Hogendoorn is project leader of Bees as Flying Doctors, which is exploring use RIEHHVWRGLVWULEXWHGLVHDVHFRQWUROWRIUXLW½RZHUV7KH¼UVWVXFFHVVLVFRQWUROOLQJ EURZQURWLQVZHHWFKHUULHV PEGGY GREB/USDA BEES AS FLYING DOCTORS