Michigan Apple Committee Announces 2020 Research Funding
LANSING, Mich. – The Michigan Apple Committee board approved funding for 2020 research projects this month. 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 there is also a great deal of collaboration between institutions and colleagues.”
For 2020, the board approved $297,266 in funding for 18 projects. Research topics varied from pest management to varietal research to planting 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.
MAC Funded Research:
Randolph Beaudry
Dynamic Controlled Atmosphere (DCA) Storage: Maximizing Storability While Reducing Disorders ………………………………………….…$20,000
Bitter Pit Characterization, Prediction, and Mitigation in Honeycrisp…………………………………………………………………………………………………..………….$20,000
Erin Bunting
Online Map-Based Decision Support System for Topographic Site Planning in Apple Orchards …………………………..………………………….$11,192
Todd Einhorn
New Thinning Strategies to Improve Apple Profitability and Predictability …………………………………………………………………………………………..…..$25,000
Optimizing Tree Quality for Early Orchard Establishment ………..……………………………………………………………………………………………………………..………..$30,000
PGR Strategies to Reduce Bitterpit of Honeycrisp ………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………….…….$25,000
Evaluation of Multiple Leader High Density Apple Training Systems, 2020………………………………………………………………………………………….…….$15,310
Matthew Grieshop
Season Long Evaluation of a Solid-Set Canopy Delivery System with Optimized Microemitter Placement……………………….………..$11,386
Comparison of Residue to Urea for Reducing Spring Apple Scab Inoculum……………………………………………………………………………………………..…$8,098
Larry Gut
Management of Codling Moth Using Sterile Insect Releases …….………………………………………………………………………………………………………….…………$20,000
Managing BMSB to Maintain Fruit Quality and Production Efficiency ……………………………………………………………………………………………….………$20,000
Pheromone-Based Mating Disruption for Managing San Jose Scale ….……….…………………………………………………………………………………………..….$15,000
Bill Shane
Apple Germplasm for the Fresh and Processing Industries ..……………………………………………………………………………………………………….…………………..$8,440
Evaluation of MAIA Apple Germplasm ……………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………..……….……………….$5,252
George Sundin
Shoot Blight Management with Reduced Rates of Apogee, Actigard and Coppers ……………………………………………………………………….….$24,250
Marianna Szucs
Augmentative Releases of the Sumarai Wasp Against Brown Marmorated Stink Bug……………………………………………………………………….$12,030
Steven Van Nocker
Prescision Control of Crop Load and Alternate Bearing…….………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………….……$16,300
John Wise
Trunk Injection Control of Black Stem Borer in Apples ……………………………………………………………………………………………………………………….……………$5,000
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