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
Introducing a New Faculty Member
Martin Churuvija is the new Assistant Professor in Smart Machine and Robotics Systems Engineering in the Department of Biological Systems Engineering at WSU.
Green Spot in ‘WA 38’ (Cosmic Crisp®): Key Takeaways from Two Recently Published Papers
Dr. Stefano Musacchi’s lab has published two recent papers on green spot in ‘WA 38’. These papers highlight new findings on rapid fruit growth, vascular…
WSU Decision Aid System Update September 2026
To improve the codling moth model, the DAS needs to collaborate with farmers and consultants that are willing to share their trap catch data.
Recommended Harvest Criteria for Commercial WA 38 Storage in 2026
Use this guide in addition to the published marketing and quality standards for harvest criteria for Commercial WA 38 storage in the 2026 crop year.
Climate Smart Farm Equipment Grant Opens September 4, 2026
The new climate smart farm equipment grant program helps farmers purchase equipment that reduces agricultural greenhouse gas emissions while improving soil health, air and water…
WSU Decision Aid System Update August 2026
Codling Moth Sources: As apple harvest and storage approaches, it is important to discuss the role of bin piles as a source of codling moth…
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Featured Videos
Weather with AgWeatherNet: Mobile App Feature Updates
In this video, we take a quick tour of the WSU AgWeatherNet mobile application; your pocket companion to the AgWeatherNet portal (weather.wsu.edu), putting real-time weather and decision support tools from our network of over 370…
Assessing your Lacewing Shipment
WSARE Project SW24-004 “Developing best practices for releasing lacewings in apples.” Led by Rebecca Schmidt-Jeffris, USDA, Tianna DuPont, WSU
Monitoreo y muestreo para la enfermedad de la cereza pequeña
Fire Blight of Apple and Pear
This animation illustrates the biology of fire blight infections in apple and pear. Video produced by Tianna DuPont, Washington State University. Animation by Dani Abram. Funded by USDA SCRI grant #2020-51181-32158. Thank you to reviewers…
New codling moth tools- NCW Tree Fruit Days 2025
Betsy Beers, WSU Entomology described efficacy information on new codling moth products at North Central Washington Apple Day. Part of North Central Washington Tree Fruit Days sponsored by WSU Extension, NW Cherry Growers, Pear Bureau…
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…
