Michigan Apple Committee Announces 2019 Research Funding
LANSING, Mich. – The Michigan Apple Committee board approved funding for 2019 research projects at their March board meeting. Research is an important part of MAC’s mission.
“Members of the MAC Board of Directors select growers to serve on the research subcommittee,” said Diane Smith, executive director of MAC. “The subcommittee analyzes several research proposals and recommends funding to the board.”
MAC’s research priorities are set to support Michigan Apple growers and industry success. MAC looks for projects that improve profitability and production, develop new markets and products and identify consumer trends and facts. MAC wishes to support innovative research that helps achieve MAC’s mission by enhancing the reputation of Michigan Apples.
“MAC accepts proposals from many different research institutions and centers of excellence,” said Smith. “We are fortunate to have a world-class agricultural instruction right in our back yard with Michigan State University, and this year, all of the proposals we received were from MSU researchers.”
For 2019, the board approved $309,000 in funding for several projects. Research topics varied from pest management to varietal research to harvest technology. For the complete list of projects, see below.
The Michigan Apple Committee is a grower-funded nonprofit organization devoted to marketing, education and research activities to distinguish the Michigan apple and encourage its consumption in Michigan and around the world. For more information, visit www.MichiganApples.com.
2019 Funded Research:
Randolph Beaudry
Dynamic Controlled Atmosphere (DCA) Storage: Maximizing Storability While Reducing Disorders ………………………..…….$33,474
Erin Bunting
Characterization of Cold Air Movement in Apple Orchards Using Thermal Infrared Drone Imagery and High-Resolution
Topographic Data ………………………..…….$11,192
Todd Einhorn
New Thinning Strategies to Improve Apple Profitability and Predictability ………………………..…….$27,159
Optimizing Tree Quality for Early Orchard Establishment ………………………..…….$20,768
PGR Strategies to Reduce Bitterpit of Honeycrisp ………………………..…….$33,145
Larry Gut
Management of Codling Moth Using Sterile Moth Releases ………………………..…….$20,000
Managing BMSB to Maintain Fruit Quality and Profitability ………………………..…….$22,000
Pheromone-Based Mating Disruption for Managing San Jose Scale ………………………..…….$18,000
Amy Irish-Brown
Apple Maturity Manipulation-Use of ReTain, Harvista and Ethrel ………………………..…….$10,000
DrapeNet Evaluation for Increased Fruit Quality Parameters ………………………..…….$5,520
Evaluation of Multiple Leader High Density Apple Training Systems 2019 ………………………..…….$10,000
Using Sap Analysis for Honeycrisp Nutrition and Bitter Pit Management ………………………..……..$10,586
Nikki Rothwell
Exploring Traditional and Alternative Control Options for Black Stem Borer ………………………..…….$9,124
Bill Shane
Evaluation of Apple Germplasm for the Fresh and Processing Industries ………………………..…….$8,440
Evaluation of MAIA Apple Germplasm ………………………..…….$5,252
Marianna Szucs
Rearing and Release of a Classical Biological Control Agent, the Sumarai Wasp Against Brown Marmorated Stink Bug ………………………..…….$10,272
George Sundin
Shoot Blight Management with Reduced Rates of Apogee, Actigard and Coppers ………………………..…….$25,599
Steven Van Nocker
Optimization of Gibberellin Summer Sprays for Control of Flowering and Crop Load………………………..…….$14,988
John Wise
Trunk Injection Control of Black Stem Borer in Apples ………………………..…….$13,697
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