Read more about the article Fungal microbiome associated with grapevine trunk diseases in Oregon vineyards

Fungal microbiome associated with grapevine trunk diseases in Oregon vineyards

Grapevine trunk disease (GTD) is a disease complex that consists of the largest group of fungal pathogens causing disease and progressive vine decline. Due to the complex nature of GTD pathogens, understanding the disease as a phenomenon of single species or multiple species infection is always challenging. In addition, the environmental variables play a greater role in the dominance of one species over another. It is important to understand the species that are predominant in a region and their causal role in GTD development so that targeted disease management programs can be developed. In this research project, we study the diversity of GTD pathogens in grapevines of Northern and Southern Oregon; as well as to compare the different disease management practices including vineyard floor management and pruning wound protection.

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Read more about the article Can humic acids improve production in mature organic northern highbush blueberry?

Can humic acids improve production in mature organic northern highbush blueberry?

A 3-year study was conducted to investigate the effects of adding humic acids to an organic blueberry fertigation program. The objective is to see if adding organic-approved humic acids to a standard fertilization program in a mature organic blueberry production system will increase yield and affect soil quality and plant nutrients. The study compared the yield, fruit, and leaf nutrient concentration, and soil nutrients of 'Duke' and 'Liberty' blueberry cultivars with and without humic acid application. Over the three years, adding humic acids did not significantly improve yield or alter soil characteristics and plant nutrient levels. The study found no substantial evidence to support the additional cost of adding humic acids to an already healthy and productive organic blueberry system.

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Read more about the article Trials of Advanced Raspberry selections to evaluate suitability for IQF processing and to promote adoption

Trials of Advanced Raspberry selections to evaluate suitability for IQF processing and to promote adoption

A new cultivar, ‘Cascade Premier’, and an advanced selection, ‘WSU 2188’, were compared with industry standard cultivars under commercial production and processing conditions. The cultivars were evaluated for Individually Quick Frozen (IQF) processing quality, yield, pest tolerance, disease susceptibility and winter hardiness. ‘Cascade Premier’ was compared with adjacent, similarly managed ‘WakeHaven®’. ‘Cascade Premier’ yields were limited at one location by cane botrytis, which reduced the numbers of fruiting laterals. ‘Cascade Premier’ generally produced fewer, but larger fruits than WakeHaven®. Under warm conditions favoring rapid ripening, ‘Cascade Premier’ produced IQF quality fruit when harvest intervals were short enough (less than 3 days), but became too soft for IQF processing at longer harvest intervals.

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Read more about the article Taking proof of concept to wide-scale field use: The OSU high- performance dendrometer

Taking proof of concept to wide-scale field use: The OSU high- performance dendrometer

During the duration of this project researchers refurbished the electronics of all 32 dendrometers and manufactured carbon fiber parts for the new 3 spring design. Two deployments were completed, one at the beginning of the summer and one in mid- summer. The deployment in mid-summer included 3 devices with a new 3-spring design to improve stability over the original 1-spring design from previous years. Researchers worked closely with engineers to implement a data-cleaning algorithm, which removes statistically significant outliers and removes skipping or incongruencies in the data due to bumping or other mechanical disturbances. While effective it is still being improved, live updates are transmitted via 4G LoRa telemetry once every four hours. Measurement data is stored on the SD card at the original 15-minute interval. To further investigate the dendrometer and the 3-spring design, researchers performed off-season experiments in a greenhouse. Researchers continued to develop 4G telemetry capabilities for rapid evaluation of plant water status and device functionality.

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Read more about the article Evaluating Commercially Available Technologies for Weed Management in Blueberries: Saturated Steam and Rotary Brush

Evaluating Commercially Available Technologies for Weed Management in Blueberries: Saturated Steam and Rotary Brush

Washington and Oregon account for 85% of national raspberry production and 15% of worldwide production. Growers from Washington and Oregon harvest over 80 million pounds of raspberries on about 12,000 acres. Tomato ringspot virus (ToRSV) continues to be a problem in raspberry production in the Willamette Valley in Oregon, and in southern Washington. The predominant mode of spread of ToRSV is via the nematode vector Xiphinema americanum, also known as “Dagger” nematodes. Methyl bromide is often a method of choice for managing ToRSV and other nematode-borne plant viruses because it kills the nematode vectors. However, ToRSV often reappears within 3-4 years of fumigation with methyl bromide.

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