Apr 25, 2023

Michigan Apple Committee funds 10 research projects

The Michigan Apple Committee (MAC) board has approved almost $240,000 in funding for 2023 industry research projects.

The 10 projects were approved at the March board meeting. Research funding is a part of MAC’s mission to serve Michigan’s apple growers.

“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 all the submitted research proposals and recommends funding to the board.”

MAC looks for projects that improve profitability and production, develop new markets and products and identify consumer trends and facts.

“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 2023, the board approved $238,317 in funding for 10 projects.

MAC funded these projects for 2023:

Randolph Beaudry

Lenticel Breakdown: Role of Field Sprays — $10,940

Linking Field Conditions to Internal Browning of Honeycrisp — $31,092

Todd Einhorn

Developing a Bitter Pit Mitigation Protocol Using Plant Growth Regulators — $29,640

Increasing the Precision of Crop Load Management of Apple — $40,895

Evaluation of Multi-Leader, High-Density Training Systems — $15,779

Courtney Hollender

The Biological Mechanism Behind Early and Late Apple Sports — $31,703

William Shane

Coordinated Evaluation of Apple Germplasm for the Fresh and Processing Industries — $16,895

George Sundin

Fire Blight (Shoot Blight) and Apple Fruit Rots: Working Towards Consistent Management — $26,401

Julianna Wilson

2023 Apple Entomology Research: Improving Management of Plum Curculio and Soft-Bodied Pests — $20,000

John Wise

Rainfastness of Fungicides for Disease Control in Apples — $14,972