Aug 7, 2015

USDA to offer apple, grape grafting demos at Empire Farm Days

Scientists from the Agricultural Research Service Plant Genetic Resources Unit, Geneva, New York, will demonstrate grafting techniques used with apple trees and grapevines daily at the Aug. 11-13 Empire Farm Days at Rodman Lott and Son Farms in Seneca Falls, New York.

The ARS scientists will show how rootstocks affect fruit quality, change the shape and productivity of the tree scion, or top, and how scion traits can be modified by different rootstocks.

The mission of the Plant Genetic Resources Unit is to maintain, characterize, and distribute plant genetic resources of selected fruit and vegetable crops to develop new hardy varieties that can stand up to pests, diseases and environmental stresses. The unit has more than 2,500 varieties of apples, including some that are as familiar as the local supermarket produce section and others from distant and exotic locations.

The 300-acre Empire Farm Days features more than 600 agricultural institutions, organizations and industry representatives with exhibits, information, demonstrations, educational seminars, live animals, and farm safety and rural life displays.