News Articles
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…
Highlights from the international meeting of fire blight scientists this year
Fire blight researchers from around the world met in Washington state this summer for the International Symposium of Fire Blight on Rosaceous Plants. Here are…
‘WA 38’ Harvest and Storage Parameters for 2025
‘WA 38’ have been coloring on trees and preparing for harvest time! Remember to pick, pack and store with due diligence, using this guide as…
Recommended Harvest Criteria for Commercial WA 38 Storage in 2025
Use this guide in addition to the published marketing and quality standards for the 2023 crop year. First ship date for fruit produced in the…
Fall Pear Sprays
Before closing-down for the season consider a few fall applications important for next season’s success.
New Pesticide Applicator License Training Requirements
To comply with 2017 Environmental Protection Agency standard changes WSDA updated some pesticide license rules. For most licensees you will need to take a specific…
Reduce Postharvest Rots: Key Tips for Harvest Preparation and Long-term Storage
Preventing storage rots begins well before fruit enters the storage room. Focus on effective preharvest disease management, thorough sanitation of bins and storage rooms, and…
Early Fall Defoliation in Sweet Cherry
In perennial species, natural leaf senescence in the fall is part of a remobilization of mobile nutrients and carbohydrates to wood, buds and roots.
Fire Blight Researchers from Around the World Met in Washington
Fire blight scientists, industry representatives and growers met in Richland at the International Fire Blight Symposium in June.
