Mar 16, 2020

Michigan Apple Committee announces 2020 research funding

The Michigan Apple Committee board approved funding for 2020 research projects this month. 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 the Michigan Apple Committee (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 there is also a great deal of collaboration between institutions and colleagues.”

For 2020, the board approved $297,266 in funding for 18 projects. Research topics varied from pest management to varietal research to planting 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.

 MAC Funded Research:

Randolph Beaudry

Dynamic Controlled Atmosphere (DCA) Storage: Maximizing Storability While Reducing

Disorders ………………………………………………………………………….……$20,000

Bitter Pit Characterization, Prediction, and Mitigation in Honeycrisp………………….$20,000

Erin Bunting

Online Map-Based Decision Support System for Topographic Site Planning in Apple

Orchards ……………………..………………………………………………………….$11,192

Todd Einhorn

     New Thinning Strategies to Improve Apple Profitability and Predictability …………..$25,000

     Optimizing Tree Quality for Early Orchard Establishment ………..…………………..$30,000

     PGR Strategies to Reduce Bitterpit of Honeycrisp …………………………………….$25,000

     Evaluation of Multiple Leader High Density Apple Training Systems, 2020………….$15,310

Matthew Grieshop

Season Long Evaluation of a Solid-Set Canopy Delivery System with Optimized

Microemitter Placement………………………………………………………………..$11,386

Comparison of Residue to Urea for Reducing Spring Apple Scab Inoculum……….…$8,098

Larry Gut

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

     Managing BMSB to Maintain Fruit Quality and Production Efficiency ……….………$20,000

     Pheromone-Based Mating Disruption for Managing San Jose Scale ….……….…..….$15,000

Bill Shane

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

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

George Sundin

     Shoot Blight Management with Reduced Rates of Apogee, Actigard and Coppers .….$24,250

Marianna Szucs

    Augmentative Releases of the Sumarai Wasp Against Brown Marmorated Stink Bug..$12,030

Steven Van Nocker

Precision Control of Crop Load and Alternate Bearing…….…………………………$16,300

John Wise                                                                                                                       

     Trunk Injection Control of Black Stem Borer in Apples ………………………………$5,000