News about United-States

An unusual winter challenges Michigan cherry growers

Production

13 Mar 2024

"We've had warmer weather than normal," says Trish Taylor, marketing manager of Riveridge Produce Marketing, Inc. "The trees are still dormant, but because of this weather, we think we might be a week early this year."

In Michigan, two species of wasps help entomologists in the battle against Drosophila suzukii

Crop protection

11 Mar 2024

The samba wasp and the ronin wasp have emerged as potential parasitoids. Researchers have studied the wasps and are seeking government approval to release them. The species have been found in the wild in Canada and the United States.

US crisis continues: Department of Agriculture indicates losses close to 50% in the Washington area in 2023

Press review

06 Feb 2024

Sweet cherry growers in central and eastern Washington faced devastating challenges throughout the 2023 season. Unusual weather patterns caused growers losses of more than 50%, according to the United State Department of Agriculture.

Engineering of cherry rootstocks to increase virus resistance

Rootstocks

05 Feb 2024

Regarding rootstocks, one of the most promising approaches to increase plant resistance to viruses is post-transcriptional gene silencing, which employs RNA interference (RNAi) to prevent pathogenicity and virus replication.

Birds: what if they were also allies in integrated pest management strategies?

Crop protection

02 Feb 2024

Birds, a threat to crops or friends for integrated pest management strategies? At the 'Stone Fruit Day' organised by Washington State University, the focus was on the role of birds in agriculture, looking at pros and cons of the latest research on the subject.

Washington State University intensifies research with new optical sorting line

Post-harvest​ Press review

01 Feb 2024

Per McCord, WSU's cherry breeder, explained that it is basically a scaled-down version of what one sees in a commercial fruit packing warehouse. The line will bring overall efficiency to the university's sorting efforts.

A new pathogen threatens cherry growers: WSU research to combat Phytoplasma X-Disease

Crop protection Events

26 Jan 2024

In addition to phytosanitary treatments, kaolin and covering the inter-row with Extenday sheets throughout the season as vector control strategies to cover weeds, which are very important for the insect's life cycle, were evaluated.

Optimising nitrogen management in cherry trees: new approaches to maximise yield according to the University of California

Tech management Press review

25 Jan 2024

The project results promise new standards for nitrogen management in the cherry industry. Fertiliser use can be optimised and N losses reduced if applications follow tree demand and seasonal uptake patterns.

Production collapse in Michigan: eradication of sour cherry plants continues

Tech management Production Press review

23 Jan 2024

According to Michigan grower White, the cherry industry has become a battle. Not only because of price management, but also because of the climate, which has been unfavourable for years. There is also the federal administration, which has not been able to help the growers.

Sour cherry crisis: decline of growers in Michigan to only 253 by 2022

Production Press review

19 Jan 2024

According to the US Department of Agriculture, Michigan had 23,000 acres of sour cherries in 2022. The number of growers decreased from 540 in 2006 to 253 in 2022. The number of processors also decreased from 24 in 2011 to 14 in 2023.