Spotted Wing Drosophila, a well-known pest that infests ripe, ready-to-eat fruit, poses a significant threat to farmers because it is very difficult to control with standard pesticides. A new approach to tackling this pest involves manipulating the behavior of these insects by disguising healthy fruit as if it were infected with an unappealing pathogen.
By studying the specific odors emitted by infected fruit, researchers have identified the chemicals that repel the flies when applied to healthy fruit and are developing a slow-release device to disperse these fruity odors in the field, ensuring that they do not come into direct contact with the fruit. This method provides a new tool to help farmers protect their crops without relying exclusively on insecticides.
Source: USDA
Image: USDA
02 Oct 2024
Calcium is not very mobile throughout the plant. The lack of transport capacity makes it difficult to reach the growing fruits. Another issue is that Calcium follows the water flow through the xylem, which means that its absorption is closely tied to transpiration capacity.
31 May 2024
Emilia Muratori, the mayor of Vignola, explained that the concession for the remaining concessionaire will expire in 2025, and at the moment there are no signs of giving up: ‘We will let the cherry season pass and then make a decision on the empty space'.
05 Aug 2026
A study on ‘Meizao’ sweet cherries shows that foliar 5-ALA at 100 mg/L increases fruit weight, color, sugars, nutraceutical compounds and aroma complexity by improving photosynthetic efficiency and stimulating the biosynthesis of secondary metabolites in the fruit itself.
05 Aug 2026
A 12.5% US tariff on Chilean cherries is squeezing margins and slowing diversification beyond China. Exporters are responding through bilateral talks, more efficient logistics, premium-grade fruit and faster growth in Vietnam, India, Indonesia and South Korea in 2026.
