October 6, 1996

Extension & Applied Research
Helps New York Fruit Growers
Maximize Returns

Geneva, NY - Through extension and applied research, scientists at the Hudson Valley Lab in Highland, NY, and the Experiment Station in Geneva, NY, provide information on best practices for New York orchards. This information is conveyed through fruit schools, newsletters, twilight meetings, and workshops. In most cases, we compare economic consequences of different practices to provide "real world" relevance.

• Fruit size and yield are primary components in apple crop value. Chemical "thinning" is our primary tool for controlling these factors. Within the range of acceptable croploads, cropload adjustment may affect profitability by thousands of dollars per acre. Much of the economic success of each orchard is determined in the two week "thinning" window following bloom Important advances in chemical "thinning" are coming from our work and that of other researchers. Timely delivery of this information helps insure the profitability and sustainability of the NY fruit industry. (Stover)

• Preharvest drop of 'McIntosh' is a problem of great economic significance. Crop losses of 15-50% make many blocks unprofitable and significantly reduce profitability even in successful blocks. Plant growth regulators treatments to manage harvest of 'McIntosh' are being evaluated in our program. 'McIntosh' remains the most widely planted apple variety in NY and extension of new techniques should help sustain this variety's profitability. (Stover)

• Cold-injury frequently occurs in NY apple trees. Often cold-injury results from very low autumn temperatures after conditions prevent proper "winter-hardening" of trees. Methods to encourage earlier dormancy are under development and results have been promising. Adoption of these methods may significantly reduce cold-injury in young apple orchards. (Stover)

• Moderate cold-injury compromises bud development and may reduce fruit size. Our work indicates that prebloom nutrient applications help alleviate the deleterious effects of moderate cold-injury. In many instances these treatments increase cropping by 25%. These treatments are becoming routine and should improve production of orchards following winter-injury. (Stover)

• Scaffolds, a weekly newsletter on tree fruit pest management and crop development, is in its fifth year of publication. It is mailed to over 300 subscribers in 19 states and 4 provinces. It is available on the WWW at http://www.nysaes.cornell.edu/ent/scaffolds/ (Agnello)

• Researchers hold many meetings, including Grower Field Meetings and Western NY Winter Fruit Meetings. A CCE Summer Fruit Tour is designed to exhibit research projects in progress at the Station or on commercial farms; e.g., in August 1996, a Geneva Fruit Field Day was held at the Experiment Station in Geneva and there were 210 attendees. Conell In-Depth Fruit Schools offer college-level short courses on selected aspects of fruit production, protection or marketing, usually attended by 100 growers, extension field agents and field staff, Station personnel and graduate students. They are held every two to three years. (Agnello)

• In 1996, meetings with NY apple growers and pesticide distributors informed them about the proper use and timing of a new IPM-compatible pesticide, Confirm, to control a major apple pest, the oblique-banded leafroller. (Reissig)

• In the annual fall meeting with pesticide companies and distributors at the NYSAES, called Fruit Pesticide Research Field Days, Harvey Reissig shares the results of field testing various compounds for control of apple insect and mite pests during the summer field season. (Reissig)

• Russet of apple can often lower fruit quality resulting in reduced economic returns to growers of apples and pear. Several causes of russet including environmental conditions and pesticides have been reported. Tom Burr recently discovered that certain yeasts and a yeast-like fungus, Aureobasidium pullulans,  can cause severe russet of apple. These microorganisms are commonly found on apple fruit and leaves in high numbers. Experiments are under way to determine more fully the role of yeasts and A. pullulans  in causing russet and the effect of fungicides on russet severity. It appears that yeasts and A. pullulans  may be major factors in russet development on apple and pear. (Burr)

For more information, contact:
Ed Stover
Dept. of Horticultural Sciences
Hudson Valley Lab
PO Box 727
Highland, NY 12528
Telephone: 914-6981-6787
e-mail: ews6@cornell.edu

Art Agnello
Dept. of Entomology
NYSAES
Geneva, NY 14456
Telephone: 315-787-2341
e-mail: ama4@cornell.edu

Harvey Reissig
Dept. of Entomology
NYSAES
Geneva, NY 14456
Telephone: 315-787-2336
e-mail: whr1@cornell.edu

Tom Burr
Dept. of Plant Pathology
NYSAES
Geneva, NY 14456
Telephone: 315-787-2312
e-mail: tjb1@cornell.edu

Contact: Linda McCandless, Communications Services

Telephone: (315) 787-2417

e-mail: llm3@cornell.edu

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