Apr 3, 2019
Michigan Apple Committee announces 2019 research funding

The Michigan Apple Committee (MAC) board approved funding for 2019 research projects at their March board meeting. Research is an important part of MAC’s mission.

“Members of the MAC Board of Directors select growers to serve on the research subcommittee,” said Diane Smith, executive director of MAC. “The subcommittee analyzes several research proposals and recommends funding to the board.”

MAC’s research priorities are set to support Michigan apple growers and industry success. MAC looks for projects that improve profitability and production, develop new markets and products and identify consumer trends and facts. MAC wishes to support innovative research that helps achieve MAC’s mission by enhancing the reputation of Michigan apples.

“MAC accepts proposals from many different research institutions and centers of excellence,” said Smith. “We are fortunate to have a world-class agricultural instruction right in our back yard with Michigan State University, and this year, all of the proposals we received were from MSU researchers.”

For 2019, the board approved $309,000 in funding for several projects. Research topics varied from pest management to varietal research to harvest technology. For the complete list of projects, see below.

The Michigan Apple Committee is a grower-funded nonprofit organization devoted to marketing, education and research activities to distinguish the Michigan apple and encourage its consumption in Michigan and around the world. For more information, visit www.MichiganApples.com.

2019 Funded Research: 

Randolph Beaudry

Dynamic Controlled Atmosphere (DCA) Storage: Maximizing Storability

While Reducing Disorders ………………………………………………………………………….……$33,474

Erin Bunting

Characterization of Cold Air Movement in Apple Orchards Using Thermal Infrared

Drone Imagery and High-Resolution Topographic Data ……………………..……………….$11,192

Todd Einhorn

     New Thinning Strategies to Improve Apple Profitability and Predictability …………..$27,159

     Optimizing Tree Quality for Early Orchard Establishment ………..…………………..$20,768

     PGR Strategies to Reduce Bitterpit of Honeycrisp …………………………………….$33,145

Larry Gut

     Management of Codling Moth Using Sterile Moth Releases …..…….……………..…$20,000

     Managing BMSB to Maintain Fruit Quality and Profitability ………………….………$22,000

     Pheromone-Based Mating Disruption for Managing San Jose Scale ….……….…..….$18,000

Amy Irish-Brown

     Apple Maturity Manipulation-Use of ReTain, Harvista and Ethrel ……………………$10,000

DrapeNet Evaluation for Increased Fruit Quality Parameters .………………….………$5,520

Evaluation of Multiple Leader High Density Apple Training Systems 2019 .…………$10,000

Using Sap Analysis for Honeycrisp Nutrition and Bitter Pit Management ……..……..$10,586

Nikki Rothwell

Exploring Traditional and Alternative Control Options for Black Stem Borer …………$9,124

Bill Shane

     Evaluation of Apple Germplasm for the Fresh and Processing Industries ..……..….…..$8,440

     Evaluation of MAIA Apple Germplasm ………………………………….……………….$5,252

Marianna Szucs

Rearing and Release of a Classical Biological Control Agent, the Sumarai Wasp

Against Brown Marmorated Stink Bug …………………………………………………………$10,272

George Sundin

     Shoot Blight Management with Reduced Rates of Apogee, Actigard and Coppers .….$25,599

Steven Van Nocker

Optimization of Gibberellin Summer Sprays for Control of Flowering and Crop

Load ……………………………………………………………………………………$14,988

John Wise                                                                                                                                                                 

     Trunk Injection Control of Black Stem Borer in Apples ………………………………$13,697

 

 

 

 

 




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