Michigan Apple Committee Announces 2023 Research Funding
LANSING, Mich. – The Michigan Apple Committee board approved funding for 2023 industry research projects at their March board meeting. Research funding is a part of MAC’s mission to serve Michigan’s apple growers.
“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 all the submitted 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 2023, the board approved $238,317 in funding for 10 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.
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MAC Funded Research:
Randolph Beaudry
Lenticel Breakdown: Role of Field Sprays…………………………………………………………………………………………..…..…… $10,940
Linking Field Conditions to Internal Browning of Honeycrisp ………..……………………………………………….…. $31,092
Todd Einhorn
Developing a Bitter Pit Mitigation Protocol Using Plant Growth Regulators……………..…………….….. $29,640
Increasing the Precision of Crop Load Management of Apple…………………….……………………………………… $40,895
Evaluation of Multi-Leader, High-Density Training Systems………………………………………………………………….. $15,779
Courtney Hollender
The Biological Mechanism Behind Early and Late Apple Sports……………………………………………………………. $31,703
William Shane
Coordinated Evaluation of Apple Germplasm for the Fresh and Processing Industries……………… $16,895
George Sundin
Fire Blight (Shoot Blight) and Apple Fruit Rots: Working Towards Consistent Management……$26,401
Julianna Wilson
2023 Apple Entomology Research: Improving Management of Plum Curculio and Soft-Bodied Pests……………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………….………………………………………………. $20,000
John Wise
Rainfastness of Fungicides for Disease Control in Apples………………………………….……………………………………. $14,972