News Articles
Start Clean to Stay Clean: Apple Bin Materials & Sanitation
Deciding which bin material to use is a very important matter. Studies show the risk with wooden bins spreading postharvest diseases and shed light on…
Developing Best Practices for Lacewing Releases in Apples Field Day
Dr. Rebecca Schmidt-Jeffris, USDA-ARS shared best management practices for lacewing release biocontrol in apples at field days last month hosted by WSU Extension.
Orchard Heat Stress Mitigation Reminders
As summer continues with our commonly seen high temperatures throughout our apple growing regions, heat stress mitigation should be considered. Like us, when apples are…
Introducing Antonia Sánchez-Labbé, Tree Fruit Extension Educator – Horticulture
The WSU Tree Fruit Extension Team is excited to welcome Antonia Sánchez-Labbé as Tree Fruit Extension Educator – Horticulture, based at the WSU Irrigated Agriculture…
From People to Robots: Capturing Pruning Decisions for Future Robotic Implementation
By combining expert field interviews with over 600 labeled pruning cuts, we’ve uncovered decision patterns that can guide future autonomous orchard pruning.
WSU’s Long Term Soil Health Experiment Featured in the Good Fruit Grower
WSU’s Tree Fruit Long-Term Agroecological Research and Extension (LTARE) Site was featured in the Good Fruit Grower’s April 2026 issue.
“Ghosting” / Diffuse Skin Browning in ‘Golden Delicious’: Causes and controls
“Ghosting”, or diffuse skin browning (DSB), is a physiological disorder in ‘Golden Delicious’ that can be mitigated with step-down cooling and careful 1-MCP application.
Climatic Effects on Postharvest Cherry Quality
Seasonal weather affects sweet cherry quality. Heat waves and temperature fluctuations can reduce firmness, stem quality, and storability, making timely harvest and cooling critical.
Organic AVG (Retain®OL) Extends Apple Harvest Window and Maintains Firmness in Long-Term Storage
Retain®OL delays maturity at harvest and slows ripening in organic 'Gala' apples, preserving firmness through long-term CA storage.
Apple IPM in Hard Economic Times
Optimal pest control may not be possible when budgets are tight. But, by carefully balancing the damage potential of the pests with the cost of…
