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
26 Feb 2024
The objective of the research was to evaluate the performance of the cultivar '0900 Ziraat' grafted onto the semi-vigorous rootstocks Krymsk, Gisela 6 and Piku 1. Four breeding forms were applied to these cultivar/rootstock combinations: VCL, SSA, UFO and KGB.
23 May 2024
As of 1 May, cherry production for the 2024 marketing year was estimated at 37,700 tonnes, an increase of 12% year-on-year and 23% year-on-year. The survey covers 3 regions, representing 81% of the national production in 2023.
11 Jun 2026
In the Andean-Patagonian temperate forest, alien species recruitment depends on predation, frugivory, seedling survival and functional traits. Seed size emerges as the key factor, with Prunus cerasus showing the highest invasive potential among the species studied in Patagonia.
11 Jun 2026
Washington State University is tracing breeder Thomas Toyama’s genetic legacy to develop larger, earlier and more resilient cherries. Historic WSU records are now helping researchers identify valuable traits and strengthen modern sweet cherry breeding programs worldwide.
