New fruit varieties are very much in the news these days. With the new 'Shenandoah' pear, fruit growers in the East will no longer have to worry about fire blight. After several decades of work, plant breeders at the Agricultural Research Service's Appalachian Fruit Research Station in Kearneysville,W.VA.released 'Shenandoah.' Its wonderful flavor is due to the high acid content. The fruits ripen sometime from August through early October in the East, somewhat earlier than the Barlett. What is even more intriguing is that these fruits can be stored for up to four months when proper cold storage is available. Two award-winning varieties introduced by Stark Brothers in 2005 are very unique among brambles. 'Prime-Jan' and 'Prime-Jim' blackberries are unique among brambles. These are the very first to ever set fruits on the first-year canes as well as on the canes from the previous year. Fruit Pests and Diseases
An insect known as the calico scale seems to be spreading to new parts of the U.S. In September, 2005, Michigan officials reported the pests were found on the Michigan State University campus. This pest attacks pears, all stone fruits, and crabapples as well as numerous other species normally used for ornamental purposes. Previously, this pest was known only in the Northeast and along the Pacific coast.
A referendum passed by California growers will fund efforts to continue the fight against the glassy-winged sharpshooter, which is responsible for spreading a very serious disease called Pierce's disease. The result is dead grapevines when the disease clogs the plants' water-conducting systems. Officials released a biological control in the form of a predatory wasp that reportedly can begin attacking the sharpshooter earlier in the spring than the other parasitic wasps they used previously.
Researchers in California also made a good discovery that can help strawberry growers. This research took place at the California Strawberry Commission in Watsonville. They found that gray mold attacks only the strawberry flowers-not the fruit. This simplifies control, and means that less fungicide will need to be used.
Citrus canker remains very much a hot topic. Unfortunately, the disease was actually found during the summer of 2005 on the grounds of the University of Florida's Indian River Research and Education Center. Consequently, all citrus plants within 1900 feet of the infected plant were destroyed as mandated by the state law.
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