News Articles
Innovative Tools to Combat Emerging Diseases and Boost Pollination
Join us on February 18 in Wenatchee for a full-day workshop on emerging diseases and pollination.
Agricultural Leadership Conference
The Agricultural Leadership Conference is on February 20th, 2026, in Yakima WA. This full-day bilingual conference (English and Spanish) is designed for farm supervisors and…
WSU Tree Fruit Heat School
Join us March 11th from 8:30 AM-2:30 PM for the WSU Tree Fruit Heat School. This free event will focus on understanding and managing heat-related…
2026 WA Tree Fruit Research Commission Grant Awards for Cherry
For 2026, the Washington Tree Fruit Research Commission (WTFRC) approved $228,176 to help fund six (6) new projects. The Oregon Sweet Cherry Commission (OSCC) is…
Lenticel breakdown disorder: preharvest and postharvest considerations
Although lenticel breakdown disorder (LBD) is well-know, the latest research published by Torres et al. (2025) has shown: (1) sanitizers used at commercial doses do…
WSU Cherry Breeding Program Update: New Variety
The Washington State University cherry breeding program, led by Dr. Per McCord in Prosser, WA, is releasing a new variety of sweet cherry. Currently known…
How to effectively remove cankers and associated pathogens in sweet cherry orchards
Effective disease management in sweet cherry begins with informed pruning decisions. Recent observations indicate that pruning at least five inches below visible cankers during hot/dry…
Four different types of fire blight pathogen existed in Washington Orchards: What does this mean to growers?
It is often believed that the pathogen causing fire blight is genetically similar in every orchard. A recent study by Washington State University researchers found…
Understanding Listeria Behavior on Pears During Cold Storage
Listeria monocytogenes is a foodborne pathogen that can cause serious illness and mortality. Recent outbreaks in other tree fruits have highlighted the importance of understanding…
How Many Kinds of Pear Psyllids are There? And Where Did Ours Come From?
A surge in the importing of pear trees from Western Europe in the early-1800s led to psylla’s entry into the eastern US. This article examines…
