Source: MICHIGAN STATE UNIV submitted to NRP
INTEGRATED TREE FRUIT PHYSIOLOGY, GERMPLASM, AND MANAGEMENT
Sponsoring Institution
National Institute of Food and Agriculture
Project Status
COMPLETE
Funding Source
HATCH
Reporting Frequency
Annual
Accession No.
1010342
Grant No.
(N/A)
Cumulative Award Amt.
(N/A)
Proposal No.
(N/A)
Multistate No.
(N/A)
Project Start Date
Oct 1, 2016
Project End Date
Sep 30, 2021
Grant Year
(N/A)
Program Code
[(N/A)]- (N/A)
Recipient Organization
MICHIGAN STATE UNIV
(N/A)
EAST LANSING,MI 48824
Performing Department
Horticulture
Non Technical Summary
Sustainable production and profitability of tree fruit in Michigan and the Great Lakes region can be challenging due to a myriad of factors, including: 1) climatic events that can damage cropping potential (e.g., spring frosts, excessive rain, reduced solar radiation) or promote the incidence of critical diseases (e.g., bacterial canker, fireblight, cherry leaf spot, bacterial spot) or impact insect activity (e.g., beneficial honeybee pollination, detrimental pest infestations); 2) labor-intensive orchard operations; and 3) competition from production areas with more favorable climates (e.g., Pacific coast states) or cheaper labor (e.g., less developed countries). Consequently, for sustainable and profitable tree fruit production, innovations that improve plant-climate outcomes, enhance labor efficiency, and/or facilitate the targeting of specialized (high value) market niches such as those focused on organic produce, regional specialties, pick-your-own or farm market opportunities, etc., are of critical importance. This project focuses on diverse and integrated, applied and fundamental, plant physiology- and improved germplasm-based production research approaches to 1) optimize production practices in major Michigan tree fruit crops, thereby contributing to improved production efficiencies that will enhance profitability of mass-market (domestic and export) fruit production; and 2) improve preharvest fruit quality of traditional and novel tree fruit production suitable for competing favorably in higher value niche markets (particularly in the populous nearby Great Lakes urban market corridor of Chicago-Indianapolis- Detroit-Cleveland). The project seeks to optimize potential production advantages to be gained by the use of high quality varieties, vigor-limiting precocious rootstocks, climate-altering protective covering systems, and physiology-informed cultural practices such as specific pruning and fertilization strategies. The outcomes of this research will enhance the sustainable profitability and diversity of the fruit production portfolios of Michigan growers. Improved orchard efficiencies and/or expanded potential for organic production will benefit not only producers, but also consumers and the Great Lakes environment.
Animal Health Component
75%
Research Effort Categories
Basic
0%
Applied
75%
Developmental
25%
Classification

Knowledge Area (KA)Subject of Investigation (SOI)Field of Science (FOS)Percent
20511191050100%
Knowledge Area
205 - Plant Management Systems;

Subject Of Investigation
1119 - Deciduous tree fruits, general/other;

Field Of Science
1050 - Developmental biology;
Goals / Objectives
This project's long-term goal is to develop and integrate physiological, genetic, and horticultural approaches for understanding and improving Great Lakes region high value tree fruit production, in particular via studies of developmental and reproductive physiological processes, and how these processes are impacted by fruit and rootstock genotype, climatic factors and microclimate modifications, and other cultural practices. More specifically, the objectives include: 1) To adapt, develop, and collaborate on innovative cropping physiology research techniques to elucidate and quantify acquisition and partitioning of carbon and mineral nutrients critical for sustainable high-value fruit production; 2) To adapt, develop, and collaborate on innovative orchard management technologies, including canopy architecture and protective orchard microclimate modification strategies, to overcome environmental limitations, to optimize pre-harvest fruit quality, and to improve orchard efficiencies for high-value markets; and 3) To collaborate on multi-site commercial and experimental tree fruit cultivar and rootstock genotype evaluations. The expected outputs include hypothesis-based experiments related to the objectives and subsequent research reports to be published in relevant peer-reviewed scientific journals, oral and poster presentations at national and international scientific conferences, industry meetings, and extension programs and workshops, as well as one-on-one communications with stakeholders and clientele via telephone and email contacts. Pertinent MSU websites are maintained and will be updated periodically with new information arising from research. Field days will be held at the research centers and orchards of grower-collaborators associated with this project. Workshops and field demonstrations also will be held in collaboration with MSU Extension educators as appropriate.
Project Methods
Objective 1. To adapt, develop, and collaborate on innovative cropping physiology research techniques to elucidate and quantify acquisition and partitioning of carbon and mineral nutrients critical for sustainable high-value fruit production.Seasonal uptake of nutrients and their partitioning and metabolism will be studied in relation to bitter pit development in 'Honeycrisp' apple on selected rootstocks that vary in incidence of bitter pit. Depending on sources of funding, analysis of plant tissues (leaves, fruitlets, fruit) may be undertaken to characterize dynamic seasonal profiles of nutrients, amino acids, or gene expression products (metabolomics) as appropriate. The plant and soil nutrient analysis information generated will be evaluated as individual nutrient levels as well as interactive nutrient ratios related to key developmental stages of the plant and fruit growth cycle.Seasonal development of leaf area, photosynthetic potential, and reproductive meristems will be studied in relation to crop load and fruit development in sweet cherry on selected rootstocks that vary in precocity and vigor control. Depending on sources of funding, seasonal carbohydrate production and partitioning among vegetative and reproductive growth will be characterized as appropriate. Season-specific pruning treatments (dormant, pre-harvest, post-harvest) will be evaluated for impact on tree leaf area, flower bud formation, and partitioning to storage reserves during the plant and fruit growth cycle.This information will be used to refine orchard management strategies for growers to achieve premium quality, high value fruit yields. Grower-cooperators will be engaged for target audience testing, adoption, and feedback regarding preliminary management recommendations, which ultimately will be presented to general target audiences via extension-industry conferences and workshops and printed articles in industry periodicals. Project evaluation will engage extension educators in the surveying of growers for determination of changes in acreage and yields impacted by the research recommendations.Objective 2. To adapt, develop, and collaborate on innovative orchard management technologies, including canopy architecture and protective orchard microclimate modification strategies, to overcome environmental limitations, to optimize pre-harvest fruit quality, and to improve orchard efficiencies for high-value markets.Innovative orchard management techniques to optimize fruit quality can arise from the integration of advances in physiology and genetics, the pressing industry need to ameliorate new or chronic problems and/or develop new sustainable markets, or both. As our physiological understanding of sweet cherry advances (from earlier years of this project plus the current Objective 1), and as improved rootstocks and varieties that are adapted to the Great Lakes region are identified (from earlier years of this project plus the current Objective 3), innovations in management of tree architecture and fruit quality can be combined with new orchard technologies for strategies that advance sustainable and labor-efficient fruit production in the Great Lakes. This project previously has initiated, and will continue to explore and refine, innovative canopy architectures for sweet cherries for optimization of light distribution, fruiting unit development and renewal, balancing of reproductive and vegetative (source/sink) structures, and orchard labor efficiencies. The foundation research plots for this work were planted in 2010 at MSU-CRC, which includes four experimental fruiting wall systems replicated on three precocious rootstocks, and several next generation plots planted in 2016 at MSU-CRC and MSU-NWMHRC. The 2010 CRC trial is the model for similar collaborative plots across North America that are coordinated through the NC140 regional research project. The training systems under study include variations on central leader or spindle architectures (TSA, SSA, Bi-Axis), multiple leader bush architectures (KGB, U-KGB), and oblique or cordon leader architectures with upright fruiting units (UFO, V-UFO, U-UFO).Trials of modified canopy architectures for high density tart cherry production will continue to examine accommodation of over-the-row mechanical harvesters, canopy management, fruit removal efficiencies, harvested fruit quality, and annual yields. These will include initial canopy training, mature canopy renewal, root pruning, and impact of precocious and/or vigor-limiting rootstocks. Trials of modified canopy architectures (SSA, UFO) for high density "fruiting wall" stone fruit (apricot, nectarine, and interspecific hybrid plum) production will continue to examine labor efficiencies and partial mechanization (e.g., thinning, hedging).Research will continue to be conducted on protective covering systems for tree fruits to modify orchard microclimate, including high tunnels, pole-and-cable plastic row covers, and automated retractable roof structures. Depending on sources of funding, plastics with differing spectral transmissions and/or different timings of coverings (especially with programmable automated structures) will be examined for physiological impacts on tree growth, yield, fruit quality, and incidence of pests and diseases.For all of the above studies, development and distribution of fruiting units, annual vegetative growth, and fruit yield and quality will be analyzed and interpreted with respect to developing recommendations for Michigan soils and climates. Tangential experiments may include cultural and growth regulator strategies to promote or optimize fruiting unit formation and/or distribution.This information will be used to refine orchard management strategies for growers to achieve premium quality, high value fruit yields. Grower-cooperators will be engaged for target audience testing, adoption, and feedback regarding preliminary management recommendations, which ultimately will be presented to general target audiences via extension-industry conferences and workshops and printed articles in industry periodicals. Project evaluation will engage extension educators in the surveying of growers for determination of changes in acreage and yields impacted by the research recommendations. Objective 3. To collaborate on multi-site commercial and experimental tree fruit cultivar and rootstock genotype evaluations.?Rootstock evaluation trials coordinated with the NC140 regional research project include: 1) 31 genotypes with 'Honeycrisp' apple (2010-2019); 2) 3 genotypes with 4 canopy architectures with 'Benton' sweet cherry (2010-2019); 3) 15 genotypes with 'Honeycrisp' apple (2014-2023); 4) 9 genotypes with 'Modi' apple under organic management conditions (2015-2024); 5) 8 genotypes with 'Montmorency' sour cherry (2017-2026); 6) 10 genotypes with 'Benton' sweet cherry (2017-2026); 7) 7 genotypes with 'Cresthaven' peach (2017-2026). These all follow standardized protocols developed by each NC140 trial coordinator, including data collection for mortality, tree growth, yield, and fruit quality.New sweet cherry cultivars and breeding selections will continue to be integrated into research plantings as the become available. Currently, 35 sweet cherry genotypes are being evaluated at the MSU Horticulture Teaching and Research Center (HTRC). Standard and new cultivars of high value stone fruits for potential production in Michigan will be at MSU-CRC. Plots established during 2011 include multiple varieties of apricots, nectarines (both yellow- and white-flesh), plums (red-fleshed), and pluots. A new plot of apricots in planned for 2017. Typically, mortality, bloom and harvest dates, tree yields, and fruit quality (weight, caliper, firmness, soluble solids, and incidence of defects, such as cherry cracking and diseases) are taken.

Progress 10/01/16 to 09/30/21

Outputs
Target Audience:Tree fruit and diversified horticultural growers in the Great Lakes region of the United States, as well as across North America and other fruit-producing regions of the world. Changes/Problems:Labor staffing at all MSU Research Centers has been barely adequate in recent years, and with 2020-21 COVID19 suspensions and restrictions of university operations, individual laboratory programs and personnel also were impacted with higher costs (e.g., travel limited to one person per vehicle, requiring multiple vehicles for travel to research trials that are up to 200 miles away from campus, and overnight travel not approved for significant periods of time, requiring multiple day trips for lab personnel). Consequently, timely accomplishment of research orchard management and experiment implementation/data collection tasks was even more challenging than usual. This resulted, for some trials, in prioritizing trial maintenance over treatment imposition and/or data collection, and in some trials, there was excessive weed competition and partial premature (summer) defoliation due to cherry leaf spot and peach bacterial spot infections following extremely periods. In both 2021 and 2021, low temperatures at bloom killed a majority of reproductive organs on peach, nectarine, and both sweet and tart cherry trees at the MSU Southwest Michigan Research & Extension Center (SWMREC), as well as sweet cherry flowers at the MSU Clarksville Research Center (CRC). Apricot tree mortality at SWMREC continued to increase and once again, all flowers were lost to early spring low temperatures. The apricot research trial had already been converted to a simple training demonstration in 2020 rather than a replicated experiment due to excessive tree loss. What opportunities for training and professional development has the project provided?During the course of this project for the 2021 reporting period, approximately 4international scientists and 10 progressive growers were hosted for single-day visits.Additionally,1(each) resident graduate and undergraduate student was involved inlaboratory and orchard research training. How have the results been disseminated to communities of interest?During the most recent (2021) reporting period, project results dissemination has included: - 10 Powerpoint presentations were made to fruit grower audiences in Michigan, New York, Pennsylvania, Washington, Bosnia, Chile, Czech Republic. - 4 orchard demonstrations were made to legislator and fruit grower audiences in Michigan. - 5 Powerpoint presentations / cues lectures were made to fruit scientist and student audiences around the world. - 2 poster presentations were made to fruit grower audiences in Michigan. What do you plan to do during the next reporting period to accomplish the goals? Nothing Reported

Impacts
What was accomplished under these goals? The impactsof this project are based on multi-site orchard trials to evaluate new rootstocks and the incremental development/refinement of new techniques forproduction of key tree fruits produced in Michigan (apples, sweet and tart cherries, peaches and nectarines) to achieve more consistentand labor-efficient yields of high quality fruit. These incremental advances in plant genetic materials and orchard management strategies haveresulted in increased investment in new orchard technologies, more efficient use of labor resources, more environmentally sustainable use of land resources, and improved profitability for growers.Theultimate outcome of this production-to-market chain is greater availability and affordability of locally- andregionally-produced nutritious fresh fruits for consumers. 1) Tree fruit physiology research techniques were used to elucidate and quantify acquisition and partitioning of carbon and mineral nutrients critical for developing and adapting innovative and sustainable high-value fruit production strategies. Honeycrisp apple leaf and fruit sampling for nutrient analysis to study mineral nutrient uptake and the incidence of bitter pit disorder was expanded to nearly 40 orchards in 2021 across a range of soil types and production areas in Michigan. Leaf and fruit peel nutrient data analysis is on-going to test putatively predictive assays for early season detection of physiological-environmental conditions that lead to higher bitter pit incidence, with the resulting potential to prescribe timely remediation measures or optimize postharvest storage and marketing decisions. Additionally, the relationship of localized peach leaf area for photosynthetic carbon acquisition to supply fruit during development at a level suitable to achieve targeted market fruit quality was studied in three orchard trials. Moderate to normal yields were finally realized in 2021 after entire crop losses in 2019 and 2020. Yield data demonstrated excellent potential for achieving commercial yields using experimental new training techniques (noted in Objective 2); fruit size and other attribute data analysis is on-going for elucidating the optimal leaf area-to-fruit quality relationships. 2) Innovative orchard management technologies based on canopy architecture and protective orchard microclimate modification strategies are being developed and adapted to optimize pre-harvest fruit quality, improve orchard efficiencies for high-value markets, and overcome climatic limitations. The modification of peach/nectarine and sweet cherry canopy architecture into uniform, simplified, vertically-structured narrow fruiting units to create planar continuous fruiting walls continues to demonstrate unsurpassed light interception by important photosynthetic source leaves and their associated developing fruits, with minimal shade and ultimately more uniform ripening, fruit color, and quality. This has been achieved with the upright fruiting offshoots (UFO) training system for sweet cherry and a hybridization of UFO structural architecture with super slender axe (SSA) training of short lateral shoots, each pruned and thinned to bear a single fruit and replacement shoot, for peaches and nectarines. Management of these training concepts continues to be refined by studies utilizing plant growth inhibitor applications (prohexadione-calcium), summer hedging, and optimization of tree and fruiting unit spacing. As the peach and nectarine trial trees reached maturity in 2021, it can be concluded that the spacing of the vertical structural fruiting units can be decreased from the 3 ft spacing in the current trial to achieve even greater light and yield efficiencies. Importantly, with peach and nectarine, these studies have demonstrated strategies for achieving target yields, improved fruit quality, and greater labor efficiencies across a wide range of rootstocks, indicating potential for adoption even where dwarfing rootstocks (noted in Objective 3) may not be available or well-adapted to local soil or climatic conditions. Growth inhibitor applications to UFO sweet cherries provided significant control of undesirable lateral shoot growth, though future research is needed for comparison to summer hedging with respect to impacts on yield, fruit quality, return bloom, and economics. 3) The evaluation of commercial and experimental tree fruit cultivar and rootstock genotypes across multiple sites involve scientific collaborators across MSU research centers in the major fruit producing regions of Michigan, key grower-cooperators, and select research colleagues across North America through the NC-140 regional rootstock research project.The focus of this objective is on developing recommendations for achieving greater precision in orchard management through utilization of rootstocks (and novel canopy training concepts being developed in Objective 2) with a greater range of tree vigor control for peaches/nectarines and sweet/tart cherries than had been previously evaluated in Michigan's fruit-producing regions. These rootstocks include the Controller series (6, 7, and 8), the RootPac series (20 and 40), and MP-29 for peaches, and the MSU Corette cherry rootstock series (Cass, Clare, Clinton, Crawford, and Lake). Excessive undesirable suckering has been observed with RootPac 20 and Clare. Montmorency tart cherry trees on Clinton were nearly as precocious and productive as on Gisela 5, with relatively similar semi-dwarfing vigor. Initial yields for peaches, nectarines, tart cherries, and sweet cherries on these new rootstocks were finally achieved in 2021 after crop losses in 2019-2020 due to low temperature climatic damage. Data analysis is on-going, and at least two more years of cropping data are needed to reach preliminary conclusions regarding sustainable differences in yield efficiencies and fruit quality. In summary, this project addresses the potential for significant changes in action for tree fruit growers who must make decisions for planting orchards that are expected to be in production for 25 year or longer. It has developed changes in knowledge regarding tree fruit (peach, cherry, apple) rootstock traits and performance under Michigan's fruit production conditions that have begun to change the actions of some growers as they develop their new orchards. There have been specific changes in knowledge regarding the role of potassium, nitrogen, and calcium in Honeycrisp apple bitter pit incidence that has prompted a wide-ranging change in grower action for minimizing use of potassium fertilizer for production of that high-value cultivar. There have also been changes in knowledge regarding tree fruit canopy architectural development to achieve narrow, highly- and precisely-structured fruiting wall orchards that are resulting in an increasing number of growers' actions to test and adopt such concepts in their operations as they plant new orchards. It is anticipated that these integrated changes in knowledge, and developing changes in action, will evolve into changes in condition regarding increased labor efficiencies and reduced use of pesticides due to the increased adoption of fruiting wall orchard designs.

Publications

  • Type: Journal Articles Status: Published Year Published: 2021 Citation: Lang, G.A. and M.D. Whiting. 2021. Canopy architecture - optimizing the interface between fruit physiology, canopy management, and mechanical/robotic efficiencies. Acta Hortic. 1314:287-296.
  • Type: Journal Articles Status: Published Year Published: 2021 Citation: Cline, J.A., W. Autio, J. Clements, W. Cowgill, R. Crassweller, T. Einhorn, E. Fallahi, P. Francescatto, E. Hoover, G. Lang, J. Lordan, R. Moran, M. Muehlbauer, S. Musacchi, M. Stasiak, R. Parra Quezada, T. Robinson, S. Serra, S. Sherif, R. Wiepz, and J. Zandstra. 2021. Early performance of Honeycrisp apple trees on several size-controlling rootstocks in the 2014 NC-140 rootstock trial. Journal of the American Pomological Society. 74(4): 189-202.
  • Type: Books Status: Published Year Published: 2020 Citation: Long, L.E., G.A. Lang, and C. Kaiser. 2020. Sweet cherries. CAB International, Wallingford, U.K., 404 pp.
  • Type: Other Status: Published Year Published: 2021 Citation: Lang, G.A. 2021. Harnessing evolution as cherry production systems evolve. American Fruit Grower 141(5):32-33.
  • Type: Other Status: Published Year Published: 2021 Citation: Lang, G.A. 2021. Ways to sharpen your sweet cherry production systems with precision. American Fruit Grower 141(9):18.
  • Type: Other Status: Published Year Published: 2020 Citation: Lang, G.A. 2020. Cherry rootstock and training decisions: thoughts for the 2020s. American Fruit Grower 140(12):24-25.


Progress 10/01/19 to 09/30/20

Outputs
Target Audience:Tree fruit and diversified horticultural growers in the Great Lakes region of the United States, as well as across North America and other fruit-producing regions of the world. Changes/Problems:Labor staffing at all MSU Research Centers has been barely adequate in recent years, and with 2020 COVID19 suspensions and restrictions of university operations that also impacted individual laboratory programs, timely accomplishment of orchard management and research tasks was even more challenging than usual. This resulted, for some trials, in prioritizing trial maintenance over treatment imposition and/or data collection, and in some trials, there was excessive weed competition and partial premature (summer) defoliation due to cherry leaf spot and peach bacterial spot infections following an extremely rainy spring and early summer. Unusually low temperatures at bloom killed nearly all flowers on apricot, peach, and nectarine trees at the MSU Southwest Michigan Research & Extension Center (SWMREC). The apricot mortality rate continued to increase such that the trial has become a simple training demonstration with the surviving trees, rather than a replicated experiment. What opportunities for training and professional development has the project provided?During the course of this project for the reporting period, approximately 12 international scientists and 60 progressive growers were hosted for single-day visits.Additionally, 1 visiting scientists spent study leave time in my research program,and 1(each) resident graduate and undergraduate student was involved inlaboratory and orchard research training. How have the results been disseminated to communities of interest?- 6 Powerpoint presentations were made to fruit grower audiences in Michigan, Idaho, and Chile. - 3 orchard demonstrations / workshops / field days were conducted in Michigan andIdaho. - 4 Powerpoint presentations / guest lectures / seminars were made to peer fruit scientist and student audiences around the world. - 1 poster presentation was exhibited to fruit grower audiences in Michigan. What do you plan to do during the next reporting period to accomplish the goals?All current orchard trials will continue with respect to active imposition of treatments, measurements, and data analysis, with the exception of the precision apricot production trial due to excessive mortality. One new potential precision peach trial is anticipated for planting in 2021, pending adequate acquisition of funding.

Impacts
What was accomplished under these goals? The impactof this project from 1 Oct 2019 to 30 Sept 2020 includes the incremental development/refinement of techniques forproduction of tree fruits (such as sweet and tart cherries, peaches, nectarines, apricots, and apples) to achieve more consistentand labor-efficient yields of high quality fruit. These incremental technological advances haveresulted in increased investment in new orchard technologies, more efficient use of labor resources, more environmentally sustainable use of land resources, and improved profitability for growers.Theultimate outcome of this production-to-market chain is agreater availability and affordability of locally- andregionally-produced nutritious fresh fruits for consumers. Specifically, the fruiting wall canopy architecture created by the upright fruiting offshoots (UFO) training system continued to show relatively high productivity and labor efficiency for pruning and harvest, compared to other canopy training systems. In 2020, the first yield data were acquired for two sweet cherry UFO spacing trials, a vertical single planar canopy and an angled dual planar V canopy, both on semi-dwarfing Gisela 5 rootstock, as well as for a tart cherry trial to evaluate rootstock genotypes for high density, over-the-row harvested orchards. All trial data have yet to be analyzed due to COVID19 limitations. Several additional young UFO sweet cherry trials comparing rootstock genotypes and spacing are still in the establishment training phase. Precision orchard canopy architectures and production of nectarines and apricots, as well as vigor-limiting peach rootstock genotype performanceevaluations,continued. The anticipated first crops of nectarines, peaches, and apricots were lost to early May low temperature damage during bloom. However, important data relating tree spacing and leader number to tree vigor and reproductive structural development was acquired. Apricot mortality has been severe, apparently due to lingering effects of winter damage from 2018. Honeycrisp apple leaf and fruit sampling for nutrient analysis to study mineral nutrient uptake and the incidence of bitter pit disorder was postponed to 2021 due to COVID19. This altered research plans in the on-going study howapple rootstock genotypes affect mineral nutrient uptake and bitter pit incidence.

Publications

  • Type: Journal Articles Status: Published Year Published: 2020 Citation: Mahdavi, S., E. Fallahi, G.A. Lang, and B. Fallahi. 2020. Gibberellic acid4+7 and benzyladenine, cambium disconnection, nitrogen, and tip removal influence on branch induction in newly planted poorly feathered 'Fuji' apple trees. Amer. J. Plant Sci. 11(3):496-509. DOI: 10.4236/ajps.2020.113035
  • Type: Other Status: Published Year Published: 2020 Citation: Lang, G.A. 2020. Mechanization making way to a cherry orchard near you. American Fruit Grower 140(6):-. https://www.growingproduce.com/fruits/mechanization-making-way-to-a-cherry-orchard-near-you/
  • Type: Other Status: Published Year Published: 2020 Citation: Lang, G.A. 2020. Improve cherry production with plant growth regulators. American Fruit Grower 140(4):16-17. https://www.growingproduce.com/fruits/improve-cherry-production-with-plant-growth-regulators/
  • Type: Other Status: Published Year Published: 2019 Citation: Lang, G.A. 2019. New "Table Top" cherry training from the Netherlands for high-density orchards. American Fruit Grower 139(12):23-24. https://www.growingproduce.com/fruits/get-to-know-the-new-table-top-training-system-for-cherries/
  • Type: Journal Articles Status: Published Year Published: 2020 Citation: Autio, W., T. Robinson, S. Blatt, D. Cochran, P. Francescatto, E. Hoover, M. Kushad, G. Lang, J. Lordan, D. Miller, I. Minas, R. Parra Quezada, M. Stasiak, and H. Xu. 2020. Budagovsky, Geneva, Pillnitz, and Malling apple rootstocks affect Honeycrisp performance over eight years in the 2010 NC-140 Honeycrisp apple rootstock trial. J. Amer. Pomol. Soc. 74(4):182-195.
  • Type: Journal Articles Status: Published Year Published: 2019 Citation: Eithun, M., J. Larson, G. Lang, D.H. Chitwood, and E. Munsch. 2019. Isolating phyllotactic patterns embedded in the secondary growth of sweet cherry (Prunus avium L.) using magnetic resonance imaging. Plant Methods 15:1111. https://doi.org/10.1186/s13007-019-0496-7 https://rdcu.be/bS6uS


Progress 10/01/18 to 09/30/19

Outputs
Target Audience:Tree fruit and diversified horticultural growers in the Great Lakes region of the United States, as well as across North America and other fruit-producing regions of the world. Changes/Problems:Mid-winter low temperatures killed nearly all flower buds on apricot, peach, and nectarine trees at the MSU Southwest Michigan Research & Extension Center (SWMREC). Slow growth of cherries and nectarines in replant soils was improved somewhat by more aggressive fertilization in 2019. More than 50% of the apricots in the training system trial have died from combinations of low temperature stress and opportunistic diseases. Prunus necrotic ringspot virus was detected in several young trees of the cherry cultivar Strawberry Rainier, which will likely be removed. Honeycrisp trees in the rootstock trial had insufficient crop loads for fruit sampling in 2019, so the nutrient study focus was shifted to commercial grower cooperators with orchards that have exhibited chronically high or low bitter pit incidence.Labor staffing at all MSU Research Centers continues to be barely adequate, affecting timely accomplishment of orchard management tasks that resulted in some partial premature (summer) defoliation due to cherry leaf spot infections following an extremely rainy spring and early summer. What opportunities for training and professional development has the project provided?During the course of this project for the reporting period, approximately 9 international scientists and progressive growers were hosted for single-day visits.Additionally, 2 visiting scientists and 1 visiting graduate student spent study leave time in my research program,and 2resident graduate students were involved inlaboratory and orchard research training. How have the results been disseminated to communities of interest?- 15 Powerpoint presentations were made to fruit grower audiences in Michigan, Canada, Chile, China, Europe, and Australia. - 3 orchard demonstrations / workshops / field days were conducted in Michigan and around the world. - 6 Powerpoint presentations were made to peer fruit scientist audiences around the world. - 1 poster presentation was exhibited to fruit grower audiences in Michigan. What do you plan to do during the next reporting period to accomplish the goals?Formal data collection has ended for the 2010 NC140 Cherry Training Systems trial. All other current projects are on-going with respect to active imposition of treatments, measurements, and data analysis. No new trials are anticipated for planting in 2020.

Impacts
What was accomplished under these goals? The impactof this project from 1 Oct 2018 to 30 Sept 2019 includes the incremental development/refinement of techniques forproduction of tree fruits (such as sweet and tart cherries, peaches, nectarines, apricots, and apples) to achieve more consistentand labor-efficient yields of high quality fruit. These incremental technological advances haveresulted in increased investment in new orchard technologies, more efficient use of labor resources, more environmentally sustainable use of land resources, and improved profitability for growers.Theultimate outcome of this production-to-market chain is agreater availability and affordability of locally- andregionally-produced nutritious fresh fruits for consumers. Specifically, the fruiting wall canopy architecture created by the upright fruiting offshoots (UFO) training system continued to show relatively high productivity and labor efficiency for pruning and harvest, compared to other canopy training systems. In 2019, the comparison trial of four modern sweet cherry tree canopy architectures (UFO, Tall Spindle Axe - TSA, Super Slender Axe - SSA, and Kym Green Bush - KGB) was concluded. The highest mature cumulative yields per orchard area - with the cultivar Benton on very fertile soil - were on trees trained to the UFO canopy architecture combined with the dwarfing rootstock Gisela 3, followed by TSA/Gisela 3 trees, UFO on semi-dwarfing Gisela 5 rootstock, and KGB on Gisela 3. Trial training of next generation variations for fruiting wall canopy architectures and precision orchard production of sweet cherries, nectarines, and apricots, as well as new cherry (sweet and tart) and peach rootstock genotype performanceevaluations,continued. The anticipated first crops of nectarines, peaches, and apricots were lost to mid-winter low temperature flower bud damage. Three new NC140 cherry rootstock trials were planted across the state in2019 for comparative evaluations in different soils and microclimates; these will be trained to bilateral cordon UFO canopies. Leaf and fruit sampling for nutrient analysis to study mineral nutrient uptake and the incidence of bitter pit disorder in Honeycrisp apple was accomplished with the cooperation of six commercial orchards with chronically high or low bitter pit. This was an alteration of research plans to study howapple rootstock genotypes affect mineral nutrient uptake and bitter pit incidence, since the rootstock trial used in previous years had insufficient crop loads for sampling in 2019. During the reporting period, the leading Michigan producers of sweet cherries for the fresh market continued to expand and diversify their orchard operations with modern, higher density orchards, new cultivars, and plans for adoption of protective orchard covering technologies.

Publications

  • Type: Journal Articles Status: Published Year Published: 2019 Citation: Roper, T., B. Black, M. Stasiak, R. Marini, J. Cline, T. Robinson, G. Lang, L. Anderson, R. Andersen, J. Freer, G. Greene, and R. Perry. 2019. Performance of 'Montmorency' tart cherry (Prunus cerasus L.) on potential size-controlling rootstocks at six locations in North America: results of the 1998 NC-140 Trial. J. Amer. Pomol. Soc. 73(3):168-177.
  • Type: Journal Articles Status: Published Year Published: 2019 Citation: Soysal, D., L. Demirsoy, I. Macit, G. Lang, and H. Demirsoy. 2019. The applicability of new training systems for sweet cherry in Turkey. Turkish J. Agric. Forestry 43:318-325. DOI: 10.3906/tar-1808-104.
  • Type: Journal Articles Status: Published Year Published: 2019 Citation: Lang, G.A. 2019. The cherry industries in the USA: current trends and future perspectives. Acta Hort. 1235:119-132.
  • Type: Journal Articles Status: Published Year Published: 2019 Citation: Lang, G.A., T. Wilkinson, and J.E. Larson. 2019. Insights for orchard design and management using intensive sweet cherry canopy architectures on dwarfing to semi-vigorous rootstocks. Acta Hort. 1235:161-167.
  • Type: Books Status: Published Year Published: 2019 Citation: Lang, G.A. (editor). 2019. Achieving sustainable cultivation of temperate zone tree fruits and berries. Vol. 1: Physiology, genetics and cultivation. Burleigh Dodds Science Publishing, Cambridge, U.K., 520 p. ISBN:978 1 78676 208 5
  • Type: Books Status: Published Year Published: 2019 Citation: Lang, G.A. (editor). 2019. Achieving sustainable cultivation of temperate zone tree fruits and berries. Vol. 2: Case studies. Burleigh Dodds Science Publishing, Cambridge, U.K., 470 p. ISBN:978 1 78676 212 2
  • Type: Book Chapters Status: Published Year Published: 2019 Citation: Lang, G.A. 2019. Sustainable sweet cherry cultivation: a case study for designing optimized orchard production systems. Chapter 4, pp. 89-127 in: Lang, G.A. (ed.), Achieving sustainable cultivation of temperate zone tree fruits and berries. Vol. 2: Case studies. Burleigh Dodds Science Publishing, Cambridge, U.K.
  • Type: Other Status: Published Year Published: 2019 Citation: Lang, G.A. 2019. The evolution of planar canopy architectures: Upright Fruiting Offshoots (UFO) training for sweet cherries and beyond. Fruit Quarterly 27(3):5-10.
  • Type: Other Status: Published Year Published: 2019 Citation: Lang, G.A. 2019. Why you should consider whole tree renewal pruning. American Fruit Grower 139(6):18-20. https://www.growingproduce.com/fruits/why-you-should-consider-whole-tree-renewal-pruning-for-cherries/
  • Type: Other Status: Published Year Published: 2019 Citation: Lang, G.A. 2019. High efficiency sweet cherry orchard systems research. Italus Hortus 26:25-34. doi: 10.26353/j/itahort/2019.1.xxxx
  • Type: Other Status: Published Year Published: 2019 Citation: Lang, G.A. 2019. Deciphering yield data and renewal pruning for cherries. American Fruit Grower 139(4):20-22. https://www.growingproduce.com/fruits/stone-fruit/deciphering-yield-data-and-renewal-pruning-for-cherries/
  • Type: Other Status: Published Year Published: 2018 Citation: Lang, G.A. 2018. Why renewal pruning is good for your sweet cherry orchard. American Fruit Grower 138(10):22-23. https://www.growingproduce.com/fruits/stone-fruit/renewal-pruning-good-sweet-cherry-orchard/


Progress 10/01/17 to 09/30/18

Outputs
Target Audience:Tree fruit and diversified horticultural growers in the Great Lakes region of the United States, as well as across North America and other fruit-producing regions of the world. Changes/Problems:Problems encountered in this research project were fewer than in recent years; inclement weather was minimal, and institutional resources and administration were less limiting. Research center labor staffing continues to be barely adequate, affecting timely accomplishment of orchard management tasks. What opportunities for training and professional development has the project provided?During the project reporting period, 3 visiting graduate students,3resident graduate students, and 1 undergraduate studentwere involved inlaboratory and orchard research training. How have the results been disseminated to communities of interest?- 10 Powerpoint presentations were made to fruit grower audiences in Michigan, Canada, Chile, China, Europe, and New Zealand. - 8 orchard demonstrations / workshops / field days were conducted in Michigan and around the world. - 10 Powerpoint presentations were made to peer fruit scientist audiences around the world. - 5 poster presentations were exhibited to fruit grower audiences in Michigan. What do you plan to do during the next reporting period to accomplish the goals?All current projects are on-going with respect to active imposition of treatments, measurements, and data analysis. The whole tree fruitrenewal pruning trial will be evaluated one final year for reproductive (flower and fruit) development to determine if maximum yields can be recovered by the fourth growing season after imposition of WTF renewal.No additional trials are anticipated to be planted in2019.

Impacts
What was accomplished under these goals? The impactof this project from 1 Oct 2017 to 30 Sept 2018 includes the incremental development/refinement of techniques forproduction of tree fruits (such as sweet and tart cherries, peaches, nectarines, apricots, and apples) to achieve more consistentand labor-efficient yields of high quality fruit. These incremental technological advances haveresulted in increased investment in new orchard technologies, more efficient use of labor resources, more environmentally sustainable use of land resources, and improved profitability for growers.Theultimate outcome of this production-to-market chain is agreater availability and affordability of locally- andregionally-produced nutritious fresh fruits for consumers. Specifically, the fruiting wall canopy architecture created by the upright fruiting offshoots (UFO) training system continued to show relatively high productivity and labor efficiency for pruning and harvest, compared to other canopy training systems. The rapid re-growth of several sweet cherry tree canopy architectures (UFO, Tall Spindle Axe - TSA, and Kym Green Bush - KGB) following whole tree fruit (WTF) renewal pruning resulted in nearly-complete vegetative renewal after two growing seasons and significant, but not maximum, fruiting after three seasons. Plantings of next generation variations on fruiting wall canopy architectures for sweet cherries, nectarines, and apricots, as well as new cherry (sweet and tart) and peach rootstock genotype performanceevaluations,continued to be trained following 2016-17 establishment of the plots. Microclimate modification technologies were evaluated that advanced ripeningby up to 10 days, shifting harvest to a higher value marketing window. Leaf and fruit sampling for nutrient analysis was accomplished to expand the project database on howapple rootstock genotypes affect mineral nutrient uptake and the incidence of bitter pit disorder in Honeycrisp apple. During the reporting period, the leading Michigan producers of sweet cherries for the fresh market continued to expand and diversify their orchard operations with modern, higher density orchards and new cultivars.

Publications

  • Type: Journal Articles Status: Published Year Published: 2017 Citation: Zong, X., Chen, Q., Nagaty, M., Kang, Y., Lang, G., and Song, G.-Q. 2017. Adventitious shoot regeneration and Agrobacterium tumefaciens-mediated transformation of leaf explants of sweet cherry (Prunus avium L.). J. Hortic. Sci. Biotech. Plant Biotech. https://doi.org/10.1080/14620316.2018.1470908
  • Type: Other Status: Published Year Published: 2018 Citation: Lang, G.A. 2018. How to Choose the Right Training System. American Fruit Grower 138(2):18-19.
  • Type: Other Status: Published Year Published: 2018 Citation: Lang, G.A. 2018. China's Effect on World Cherry Production. American Fruit grower 138(6):15-16.
  • Type: Other Status: Published Year Published: 2017 Citation: Lang, G.A. 2017. 2016 Progress Report - Fruiting Wall Production Systems for Apricots, Nectarines, and Plums. Compact Fruit Tree 50(2):18-22.
  • Type: Journal Articles Status: Published Year Published: 2018 Citation: Ayala, M. and G. Lang. 2018. Current season photoassimilate distribution in sweet cherry. J. Amer. Soc. Hort. Sci. 143:110-117.
  • Type: Other Status: Published Year Published: 2017 Citation: Autio, W., T. Robinson, S. Blatt, D. Cochran, W. Cowgill, C. Hampson, E. Hoover, Lang, G., R. Parra Quezada, and M. Stasiak. 2017. 2016 Progress Report - Budagovsky, Geneva, Pillnitz, and Malling apple rootstocks affect Honeycrisp performance over the first six years of the 2010 NC-140 honeycrisp Apple Rootstock Trial. Compact Fruit Tree 50(2):23-27.
  • Type: Other Status: Published Year Published: 2017 Citation: Lang, G.A. 2017. 2016 Progress Report - Project 2020 - Optimizing Sweet Cherry Orchard Design & Efficiency. Compact Fruit Tree 50(1):15-19.


Progress 10/01/16 to 09/30/17

Outputs
Target Audience:Tree fruit and diversified horticultural growers in the Great Lakes region of the United States, as well as across North Americaand other fruit-producing regions of the world. Changes/Problems:Several problems were encountered in this research project; most were weather-related while some were related to institutional resource and administrative limitations. Sweet cherry yields in 2017were reduced due to spring frost damage to flowers or young fruitlets. Nursery tree quality for the new cherry rootstock trials was highly variable.Various experiments were impacted negatively by poor irrigation and weed management. Insufficient research center labor staffing contributed to ongoing issues with timely accomplishment of management tasks. What opportunities for training and professional development has the project provided?During the project reporting period, 1visiting scientist, 1 visiting graduate student,4graduate students, and 2 undergraduate studentswere involved inlaboratory and orchard research training. How have the results been disseminated to communities of interest?- 10 Powerpoint presentations were made to fruit grower audiences in Michigan, the Midwestern U.S., North America, and around the world; several were also posted on my university website. - 7 orchard demonstration field days were conducted in Michigan and around the world. - 6 Powerpoint presentations were made to peer fruit scientist audiences around the world. - 4 poster presentations were exhibited to fruit grower audiences in Michigan; most were also posted on my university website. What do you plan to do during the next reporting period to accomplish the goals?Continue the project plans as originally outlined. The whole tree fruitrenewal pruning trial will be evaluated for reproductive (flower and fruit) development to determine the percentage of themature yield that can be resumed by the third growing season after imposition of WTF renewal.All new trials were established in 2017; no additional trials are to be planted in2018.

Impacts
What was accomplished under these goals? The impactof this project from 1 Oct 2016 to 30 Sept 2017 includes the incremental development/refinement of techniques forproduction of tree fruits (such as sweet and tart cherries, apples, peaches, nectarines, and apricots) to achieve more consistentyields of high quality fruit. These incremental technological advances haveresulted in increased investment in new orchard technologies, more efficient use of labor resources, more environmentally sustainable use of land resources, and improved profitability for growers.Theultimate outcome of this production-to-market chain is agreater availability and affordability of locally- andregionally-produced nutritious fresh fruits for consumers. Specifically, the project has continued to develop a database on howrootstock genotypes affect mineral nutrient uptake and the incidence of the bitter pit disorder in Honeycrisp apple. The rapid re-growth of the sweet cherry tree canopy following whole tree fruit(WTF) renewal pruning was documented, indicating nearly-complete vegetative renewal after two growing seasons. The fruiting wall canopy architecture created by the upright fruiting offshoots (UFO) training system continued to show relatively high productivity and labor efficiency for pruning and harvest, compared to other canopy training systems. Next generation variations on fruiting wall canopy architectures for sweet cherries, peaches, nectarines, and apricots, as well as new cherry and peach rootstock genotype performanceevaluations,were initiated with new plantings. Microclimate modification technologies were evaluated that advanced ripeningby 10 days, shifting harvest to a higher value marketing window. During the reporting period, the two largest Michigan producers of sweet cherries for the fresh market began discussions with commercial orchard covering system manufacturers to invest in theadaptation ofmicroclimate modification technologies suitable fortheir expanding orchard operations, to protect from frost/rain/hail damage to their crops.

Publications

  • Type: Journal Articles Status: Published Year Published: 2017 Citation: Autio, W., T. Robinson, B. Black, S. Blatt, D. Cochran, W. Cowgill, C. Hampson, E. Hoover, G. Lang, D. Miller, I. Minas, R. Parra Quezada, and M. Stasiak. 2017. Budagovsky, Geneva, Pillnitz, and Malling apple rootstocks affect Honeycrisp performance over the first five years of the 2010 NC-140 Honeycrisp Apple Trial. J. Amer. Pom. Soc. 71(3):149-166.
  • Type: Journal Articles Status: Published Year Published: 2017 Citation: Lillrose, T., Lang, G.A., and Sundin, G.W. 2017. Strategies to minimize bacterial canker in high density sweet cherry orchards. Acta Hort. 1161:457-462.
  • Type: Journal Articles Status: Published Year Published: 2017 Citation: Macit, I., G. Lang, and H. Demirsoy. 2017. Bud management affects fruit wood, growth and precocity of cherry trees. Turkish J. Agric. For. 41:42-49.
  • Type: Journal Articles Status: Published Year Published: 2016 Citation: Lang, G.A., Sage, L. and Wilkinson, T. 2016. Ten years of studies on systems to modify sweet cherry production environments: retractable roofs, high tunnels, and rain-shelters. Acta Hort. 1130:83-90.
  • Type: Journal Articles Status: Published Year Published: 2016 Citation: Neilsen, D., Neilsen, G.H., Forge, T. and Lang, G.A. 2016. Dwarfing rootstocks and training systems affect initial growth, cropping and nutrition in 'Skeena' sweet cherry. Acta Hort. 1130:199-206.
  • Type: Books Status: Published Year Published: 2017 Citation: Quero-Garcia, J., A. Iezzoni, J. Pulawka, and G. Lang. 2017. Cherries: botany, production and uses. CAB International, Wallingford, U.K. ISBN: 978 1 78064 837 8
  • Type: Book Chapters Status: Published Year Published: 2017 Citation: Blanke, M.M., G. Lang, and M. Meland. 2017. Chapter 11: Orchard microclimate modification. pp. 244-268 in: Quero-Garcia, J., A. Iezzoni, J. Pulawka, and G. Lang. 2017. Cherries: botany, production and uses. CABI Publishing, Wallingford, U.K.
  • Type: Book Chapters Status: Published Year Published: 2017 Citation: Ayala, M. and G. Lang. 2017. Chapter 12: Morphology, cropping physiology, and canopy training. pp. 269-304 in: Quero-Garcia, J., A. Iezzoni, J. Pulawka, and G. Lang. 2017. Cherries: botany, production and uses. CABI Publishing, Wallingford, U.K.
  • Type: Other Status: Published Year Published: 2017 Citation: Lang, G.A. 2017. Whats the next generation of canopies? American Fruit Grower 137(9):15-16.
  • Type: Other Status: Published Year Published: 2017 Citation: Lang, G.A. 2017. Multiple leader training optimizes labor efficiency. American Fruit Grower 137(6):20-21.
  • Type: Other Status: Published Year Published: 2017 Citation: Lang, G.A. 2017. Take a close look at Super Spindle Axe. American Fruit Grower 137(2):22-24.
  • Type: Other Status: Published Year Published: 2016 Citation: Lang, G.A. 2016. Cherry training systems  from traditional to transformative? American Fruit Grower 136(11):15-16.
  • Type: Other Status: Published Year Published: 2016 Citation: Lang, G.A. 2016. Fruiting wall production systems for apricots, nectarines, and plums. Compact Fruit Tree 49(3):12-16.
  • Type: Other Status: Published Year Published: 2016 Citation: Lang, G.A. 2016. Project 2020: optimizing sweet cherry orchard design & efficiency. Compact Fruit Tree 49(3):6-11.
  • Type: Conference Papers and Presentations Status: Published Year Published: 2016 Citation: Lang, G. 2016. Una mirada a los sistemas de cobertura de cerezo en el mundo. Redagricola 80:34-38.