Welcome
The Small Fruit Horticulture Program focuses on research and extension activities to support growing and processing blueberries, raspberries, and other small fruit in Washington State. Explore the links to the left to find out more.
We conduct field and laboratory research in several areas:
- Irrigation and irrigation effects on soil-borne pathogens
- Solarization as a potential root rot management technique
- New nematode control options
- trials of berry selections and newly released varieties
New
Come to the Raspberry fumigation and soil borne disease field day this July 19, 1–3 PM. Speakers from WSU, USDA, WSDA and Trident Agricultural Products will present new information on coming regulations on soil fumigation, new techniques to accommodate those regulations, and the latest research information on soil-borne disease management for raspberry. Announcement and Agenda
Dr. Thomas Walters, Assistant Professor, was interviewed on the AgInfo.net radio program “Fruit Grower Report” to discuss his work on raspberry fumigation trials. Listen to the interview.
Be sure to register for the Washington Small Fruit Conference and Lynden Ag Show Dec 8 and 9 in Lynden, WA (also simulcast to Prosser, WA). See you there!
Productivity and Economics of Methyl Bromide Alternatives for Raspberry Nurseries, presented at the 2011 Annual International Research Conference on Methyl Bromide and Emissions Reductions, Nov 2, 2011, San Diego California. This presentation is a summary of work on the efficacy and economics of several alternatives to Methyl Bromide for raspberry nurseries.
Handout for farm walk on organic dayneutral strawberries, Everson WA, Oct 9, 2011
FREEZE DAMAGE TO BLUEBERRY AND RASPBERRY BUDS
A significant freeze event affected Skagit county Feb 25 and 26. Minimum temperatures at WSU-NWREC were 12°F Feb 25 and 8°F Feb 26. To document varietal differences in freeze tolerance, we collected samples from the variety trials before (Feb 24) and after (Feb 28) the freeze event. Results summarized by variety.
Some of the blueberry buds are beginning to swell, but will not be able to develop fully because their vascular system is damaged. Here is a handy way to check.
Reka flower bud with vascular damage from the Feb 25–26 freeze.
Freeze-damaged stage 3 Duke flower bud (left), and undamaged stage 1 bud (right).
Freeze-damaged Duke vegetative bud.
All-Industry Blueberry Meeting: The 2011 All-Industry Blueberry meeting was held Feb 8 in Mount Vernon and Prosser, WA. We had excellent speakers on markets, outlook for the future, pest management and varieties. You can check out the program and selected slide presentations if you want to re-visit a talk or see what you missed.
New Presentation on Bed Fumigation: New EPA regulations are being implemented that will make it very difficult for growers to continue to fumigate fields as they've done in the past. Find out about these new regulations and about bed fumigation as a possible alternative here.
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