Outreach Program for Apple Decays Management in Washington
Author: Achour Amiri
Published: 2022
Summary: Diseases of pome fruits and the management practices used to abate them have evolved in recent years in Washington and the Pacific Northwest. New knowledge on the pathogens infection timeline, detection, and management in organic and conventional systems became available following recent research efforts on decays conducted by researchers in recent years with a strong support from the WA Tree Fruit Research Commission. This series of workshop intended to be part of the technology transfer of research findings to the pome fruit stakeholders in the region. The first-year workshop (2020) was focused on conventional decay management pre and postharvest and was attended by 110 stakeholders, i.e., growers, packers, consultants, and industry representatives. Pre and post-workshop surveys helped in determining urgent needs and how much attendees learned from the workshop and their plan to implement the acquired knowledge in their orchards and warehouses. Production and storage of organic apples have increased sharply in recent years in Washington and decays became a limiting factor for extended organic fruit storage. The workshop provided invaluable new knowledge on the most effective organic materials to spray preharvest and the best timing for material application to optimize decay management in organic storage rooms for more than 6 months.
