Crop Protection
Attracticidal sphere lures spotted wing drosophila to their demise
It looks like a fruit, but it’s definitely not as healthy. According to Entomology Today, it’s the attracticidal sphere, and a new study shows it to be a promising tool for managing the invasive fruit... more »
Use copper sprays, orchard sanitation to manage disease
This winter probably will go down as the winter that wasn’t. Although my schedule is pretty jam packed during the “off season,” there is a restorative affect winter offers when everything is asleep outside and... more »
MSU survey aims to measure SWD impacts
Michigan State University researchers are part of a recently funded project, “Sustainable Spotted Wing Drosophila (SWD) Management for United States Fruit Crops,” and the team is surveying fruit growers with two goals: Measure the impact of SWD throughout... more »
USDA announces $1.8 million for research on next generation pesticides
The U.S. Department of Agriculture’s (USDA) National Institute of Food and Agriculture (NIFA) Feb. 28 announced $1.8 million in available funding to research new, environmentally friendly pesticides and innovative tools and strategies to replace an older... more »
Early start to growing season means early start to disease control
The winter of 2016-17 was relatively warm with little snow. The coldest temperatures were in mid-December with lows just below zero. That was not cold enough to damage our Michigan fruit crops and we do... more »
New tool gives apple farms hope in fight against spring freezes
This February’s warm weather is nice in the Northeast, but apple farmers may pay a price if winter roars back. To help growers assess precarious temperatures in turbulent springs, the Cornell Institute for Climate Smart... more »
Survey seeks input on Enviroweather website redesign
Michigan State University (MSU) is working on modernizing its Enviroweather website. This is a major undertaking and will involve changes in the programming structure as well as the website appearance, according to the university. While the... more »
Southern IPM Center funds new projects
Nine researchers will pursue new methods for fighting a variety of pest management challenges in the South, in both agricultural and urban settings. Over the next year, the Southern IPM Center will spend a total... more »
