Tree Fruit Research and Extension
WSU Tree Fruit Research and Extension develops and applies research-based information for sustainable tree fruit production in Washington and the world.
Recent News
The International Fruit Tree Association (IFTA) Conference and Tours
Registration opens December 1st for the 67th Annual IFTA Conference and Tours February 11-14, 2024 Yakima, Washington Two full days of speakers/presentations A full day…

Year 2 of pheno-IPM for pear psylla management: it worked, 2023
In their second year following IPM guidelines, pear orchards on this research project had less honeydew damage and more beneficials than comparison conventional orchards.

Community Survey – Japanese Beetle
We need your feedback! The Washington State Department of Agriculture (WSDA) would like your feedback on our Japanese beetle eradication project. Please take a few…

Grower Input Needed for Environmental Impact Study of Washington’s Apple Production
Written by Dan Langager, Northwest Horticultural Council, November 1, 2023 As demand for agriculture to reduce its climate impacts continues to build from regulators,…

New WSU Produce Safety Scientist
A new produce safety scientist joined WSU’s Irrigated Agriculture Research and Extension Center in Prosser

Fall and Spring Fumigation to Avoid Replant Disease
Pre-plant soil preparation is essential to avoid replant problems.
Upcoming Events
4
Dec
Dec
Webinar: Advances in Biological Control for Management of Spotted-Wing Drosophila
Online webinar
16
Jan
Jan
Pear Day – North Central Washington Tree Fruit Days
Wenatchee Convention Center
17
Jan
Jan
Stone Fruit Day – North Central Washington Tree Fruit Days
Wenatchee Convention Center
Featured Videos

Codling Moth: Bin Management
For decades, we have known that wooden bins are a site where codling moth can overwinter. Therefore bin management must consider the effect on IPM. Industry expert Brad Higbee shares his research and experience to…

Pre-emergent Herbicides-Timing Trials and Product
Mike discussed results from his multi-year pre-emergent herbicide timing trials at two field sites in New York. He provided some practical tips for fall herbicide applications to maximize product efficacy, and will briefly review some…

Codling Moth: Achieving Optimum Spray Coverage
Sprayer calibration and optimization per canopy architecture is achievable if it is prioritized by management and personnel have an understanding of the affect of air, nozzles, and rates on deposition. Extension Specialist, Gwen Hoheisel, provides…

Codling Moth: Considerations When Building a Spray Program
Chemical choices are clear, but the challenge is how to build a spray program that incorporates “The Decision Triad”, resistance management, and takes advantage of the selectiveness (ovicides, larvicides) of new chemistries. WSU researcher Rob…

Codling Moth: Resistance Management
Historically, the availability of different chemical choices has been driven by regulations and pesticide resistance. Understanding how the over use of chemical classes leads to the loss of products should be the foundation of a…
Recent Publications

Evaluation of biopesticides for the control of Erwinia amylovora in Apple and Pear
In a recent study, we evaluated non-antibiotic materials for fire blight control in 8 Washington, 3 Oregon, 3 New York and 2 Pennsylvania field experiments conducted between 2013 to 2022.
Investigations of Multiple Approaches to Reduce Green Spot Incidence in ‘WA 38’ Apple
A pre-harvest apple (Malus × domestica Borkh.) disorder named “green spot” (GS) was recently identified on ‘WA 38’ apples. Previous work indicated a tentative association between GS and fruit mineral imbalance, and an influence of…

Soil Health Indicators for Central Washington Orchards
To help growers in Central Washington orchards, Washington State University scientists demonstrated that all soil health indicators should include measurements of water availability and root health in addition to standard fertility indicators to meet stakeholder…

Field scale application of Brassica seed meal and anaerobic soil disinfestation for the control of apple replant disease.
Study published June 2021 in Applied Soil Ecology shows potential of anaerobic soil disinfestation and biorenovation with mustard meals for mitigation of replant disease.

Towards rapid detection and mapping of powdery mildew in apple orchards
Chandel, Khot, Sallato Dec 2020. Powdery mildew (PM) in apples is a critical fungal disease that adversely affects yield and fruit quality. Conventional PM identification techniques are laborious. This study evaluated the suitability of non-destructive…