Good Fruit Grower

May 15

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www.goodfruit.com Good Fruit Grower MAY 15, 2016 25 T he 2015 season marked a rebuilding year of sorts for Washington State University's sweet cherry breeding program, with a focus on horticultural practices in the orchard, but research continues into new varieties that will meet growers' needs. Established in 1949, the cherry breeding program had its first major release with the popular blush Rainier vari- ety in 1952, and growers continue to seek new varieties that are easier to grow and extend the growing season — and, ultimately, expand growers' spot in the marketplace. In 2015, research focused on trellis and netting instal- lation for early selections, standardization of irrigation systems and phenotyping protocols, and accurate plot mapping — all of which led to improvement of tree health and uniformity. Phenotype evaluation continued in 2015, with focus on a number of selections that previously advanced to phase two and phase three trials. One that's getting particular attention: R25, a dark red selection that ripens several days earlier than Chelan. Trials Phase one trials involve evaluating the initial cross; to advance to phase two, fruit must meet minimum standards for size, firmness and target market class. Phase two selections have been planted at four sites in Washington (Pasco, Prosser and Wenatchee) and Oregon (Hood River), with phase three selections planted in Pasco and Orondo, Washington, and in Hood River. In addition to size and firmness, selections are then compared to conventional varieties in the following areas: —Early season blush or red cherries with cracking tolerance. —Late season blush or red cherries, especially those with resistance to mildew. —Selections suited to mechanical harvesting without stems. —Midseason red cherries that are bigger and firmer than Bing. In 2015, none of the red selections in phase two met the size and firmness standards set by the Breeding Program Advisory Committee (BPAC). Several red selec- tions did better than Bing and Sweetheart, the control varieties, but failed to meet the target, according to Dr. Ines Hanrahan, research scientist for the Washington Tree Fruit Research Commission. "Some of this can be explained by the less than opti- mal horticultural conditions the trees were grown in the previous year. We amended these problems, so next year we should have a much better look," she said. Three blush selections made the cut, "so we have a lot of material that is quite promising in the blush selections that is early to midseason timing, or between Early Robin and Rainier timing," Hanrahan said. One red selection, Roza 2 (R2), was believed to be a Chelan replacement, but researchers saw a number of problems with it in 2015. "We had uneven maturity on the tree and a lot of pre-harvest drop. The fruit size was cherry WSU makes changes to sweet cherry program. by Shannon Dininny © 2016, Trécé Inc., Adair, OK USA • TRECE, PHEROCON and CIDETRAK are registered trademarks of Trece, Inc., Adair, OK USA TRE-0869 PLEASE: ALWAYS READ THE LABEL DECREASES DAMAGE! 40% Average Reduction Compared to Insecticide Alone. * INSEC T PHEROMONE & KAIROMONE SYSTEMS INCORPORATED ® Your Edge – And Ours – Is Knowledge. CIDETRAK ® DA MEC ™ contains a novel, patented kairomone in a micro-encapsulated liquid formulation that influences the behavior of adult and larval Codling Moth, resulting in significant enhancement of the control of Codling Moth larvae when tank mixed with various insecticides. Additionally, Codling Moth adult control is significantly enhanced when mixed indirectly with airborne Codling Moth pheromone applied as a mating disruption treatment. • What it does: Disrupts oviposition. Changes larval behavior: Stops/delays locating fruit; stops/delays fruit entry and reduces damage. • How to use it: Simply tank mix with each insecticide application. • Longevity: More than 14 days following application. Contact your local supplier and order now. Visit our website: www.trece.com or call 1- 866 -785-1313. ENHANCED CODLING MOTH LARVAL CONTROL MICRO-ENCAPSULATED SPRAYABLE! *Based on USDA analysis global data base. Available in 10, 20 and 40 acre container sizes!

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