May 22, 2017
First Michigan Tree Fruit Commission mini-grant targets disease resistance

Cherry leaf spot, fire blight and apple scab are all diseases where the ability to run a resistance test with a short turnaround time is important. The first ever mini-grant awarded by the Michigan Tree Fruit Commission (MTFC) will help make that possible in west central Michigan.

The recently-awarded mini-grant went to Dave Jones, Michigan State University (MSU) west central Michigan tree fruit Extension educator based at Hart. The awarded mini-grant provides funding for new lab equipment to isolate plant pathogens and for a summer research technician in west central Michigan.

“We can run resistance screens right here in west-central Michigan and, combined with what’s done in East Lansing, that means larger samples for more results,” Jones said. “It gives us a larger net to gather more information and everyone will get data sooner.”

The MTFC established its mini-grant program to help those on the front line supporting fruit growers respond quickly to emerging issues. The MTFC’s main grant program has a call for projects in mid-winter with award in early spring, but mini-grant applications and awards are offered year-round.

“The goal of the mini-grant program is to provide the resources to respond to any kind of emerging issue and to address growers’ immediate needs,” said Jim Nugent, MTFC chair and cherry grower from Suttons Bay.  The mini-grant review committee consists of the MTFC executive committee’s four grower members and Ron Bates, MSUE administrator.

“Growers can say, ‘We need something to deal with this issue. Here’s our idea’.  The mini-grant program lets you get a modest sum of money in a short amount of time for very grower-related issues,” Jones said.

The MTFC’s first mini-grant award is for $13,712 and is combined with matching funds from area fruit growers in west-central Michigan.

The grant funds:

  • A mini-digital incubator to culture bacteria and fungi,
  • A benchtop autoclave to sterilize instruments and propagation media,
  • A laminar flow hood where organisms can be studied in a controlled environment without outside contamination,
  • A filter for the laminar flow hood,
  • Stainless steel workbenches to hold the equipment,
  • Assorted technical lab supplies, including bacterial media, petri dishes and an electronic scale.

“This equipment gives us the ability to isolate and culture plant pathogens, which is especially useful when a grower has concerns about resistance,” Jones said.  “The samples would otherwise have to be sent to East Lansing for testing.”

Queries about applying for an MTFC mini-grant can be emailed to Phil Korson, CMI (Cherry Marketing Institute) president for distribution to the review committee.

“This is really a brilliant program,” Jones said.  “Most grant programs are offered on an annual basis and the process can be lengthy.”  Jones is one of MSU Extension’s most recent hires and did his plant pathology studies at the University of Wisconsin.

The MTFC was established by a grower referendum in 2014 to collect an assessment on Michigan’s apples, cherries, peaches and plums.  The funds support tree fruit research and research infrastructure at MSU and support MSU Extension positions if needed.

Dean Peterson, FGN Correspondent

 




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