There currently is no active request for preproposals for Cherry and Stonefruit.

A downloadable version of the following information can be found here: 2025 Technology Research Priorities

A downloadable version of the following information can be found here: 2025 ACP Research Priorities

A downloadable version of the following information can be found here: 2025 AHP Research priorities

A downloadable version of the following information can be found here: 2025 Pear RFP

PNW PEAR RESEARCH PRIORITIES FOR 2025

Fresh and Processed Pear Growers of Oregon & Washington

The aim of the Pear Research Subcommittee (PRSC) is to solicit and support research on pears that can provide a favorable return on investment to the broader pear industry. The PRSC seeks research proposals that have clear, obtainable objectives. We encourage scientists to pursue other public and private sources of funding as appropriate, and to leverage pear grower funding to support applications for larger projects such as Crop Protection, Sustainable Agricultural Research and Education (SARE), Organic Research Education Initiative (OREI), Specialty Crop Research Initiative (SCRI), or state Specialty Crop Block Grants (SCBG).

Pear industry stakeholders are clear in their desire for novel research projects which build upon previous knowledge and provide demonstrable value to the grower community. As such, we ask that proposals include discussion of the project’s potential return on investment (ROI) in the near-, mid-, and/or long- term to the pear industry. In addition, impactful proposals should include a plan for outreach to ensure that those who would benefit from the project’s outcomes, whether pear growers, consultants, packers, shippers, retailers, and/or other scientists, may fully realize and apply the benefits of the pear industry’s investment in that specific research. Given the increasing production of organic pears, proposals should also consider the specific needs of organic practices whenever possible. Most research projects funded by the Fresh and Processed Pear Committees are 1-3 years in length and have annual budgets of $25,000-60,000.

The economic viability of the PNW pear industry is predicated on our ability to deliver consistently positive eating experiences with high quality fruit that trigger repeat purchases from consumers, all within a sustainable production cost structure with adequate margins to allow pear growers and packers to reinvest in their operations. To that end, we have identified four key areas or “legs of the table” that can most improve grower returns; research proposals that address these needs are highly encouraged:

1.Clean fruit produced under stable, sustainable pest management programs with reduced inputs
2.Consistent, productive yields (50+ bins/acre in current standard blocks) of high-quality fruit in sizes and grades to maximize flexibility for warehouses to pack, store, and ship fruit in profitable formats
3.Consistent delivery of properly ripened, delicious fruit to the consumer
4.Reduced warehouse and marketplace losses due to decay, shrinkage, and repacking

Research Priorities
We welcome all research proposals that address challenges to pear production, packing, and storage in the PNW; we have identified the following subjects as our highest priority areas in hopes of attracting proposals which address some of the most urgent needs brought forward by our stakeholders.

POSTHARVEST/ FRUIT QUALITY
Goal: to develop novel postharvest practices which extend the storage season, optimize fruit quality, and minimize storage losses
•Decay control including organic and biological options
•Storage optimization, especially to extend Bartlett sales season
•Eating quality/increasing consumption
•Scald control
•Scuffing prevention
•Sanitation/food safety
•Fruit condition (mineral content, cuticle, etc.) effects of storability
•Organic options for postharvest management

HORTICULTURE
Goal: to increase production of high-quality fruit (packed boxes/acre) while reducing grower cost inputs
•Crop load management

-Orchard systems
-Pollination strategies
-Pruning strategies
-Promoting fruit set

•Crop physiology

-Irrigation
-Fertility/nutrition
-Fruit finish
-Fruit disorders (cork, greening, etc.)
-Cold temperature hardiness

•Rootstock genetics/genomics and breeding
•Scion genetics/genomics and breeding
•Labor assist technologies
•Application technologies
•Field sensor technologies
•Orchard automation technologies

CROP PROTECTION
Goal: to protect fruit and trees from damage from pests and disease using economically and environmentally sustainable methods
•Pear psylla
•Mites
•Fire blight
•Codling moth
•Stink bugs
•Vertebrate pests (i.e. rodents, deer, wild turkeys)
•Weed management, especially for organic systems
•Pest genomics
•Disease/disorder genomics
•Organic options for pest & disease management

Preproposals should be submitted by December 6, 2024, to: submit@treefruitresearch.com