Research Horticulturist

Professional Biographical Information:

Ph.D. in Plant Physiology (1971), West Virginia University

M.S. in Horticulture (Pomology) (1968), West Virginia University

B.S. in Agricultural Science (1966), West Virginia University

1979 – present; Research Horticulturist; USDA-ARS, Appalachian Fruit Research Station, Kearneysville, WV.  Served as Research Leader, 1982 – 1988 and Station Director, 1988 – 1997.

1974 – 1979; Associate Professor of Horticulture and Extension Horticulturist, University of Georgia, Georgia Experiment Station, Griffin, GA.

1972 – 1974; Horticulturist and Instructor, James Rumsey Vocational Technical School, Martinsburg, WV.

Description of Research Project:

Research goals focus on developing and evaluating cultural management techniques for apple and peach that improve annual cropping and increase efficiency for growers, and enhance the quality of fruit delivered to consumers.  Studies focus on integrating cultural management techniques such as cultivar selection, training and pruning, bioregulators, and soil and water management with the whole orchard system.  Special emphasis is placed on integrating cultural management techniques with pest control knowledge and practices.

Current Research Topics and Past Accomplishments:

1.  Training and performance of new and novel peach tree growth types.

Background:  Standard growth habit peach trees are large and have traditionally been trained to an open center spreading system.  This management technique results in low tree density per acre and is associated with very low per acre peach yields in the U.S.  Novel peach tree growth habits are being developed that may allow higher density planting and the opportunity for increased yields of high quality fruit.

Goal:  Develop training systems for new peach tree growth types that are adapted to higher density planting systems and evaluate the performance of these systems over time.

Approach: New peach tree growth habits (pillar and upright) developed by the AFRS breeder have been planted at various in-row spacings to develop orchards ranging from low to high densities.  Several training systems have been imposed on these novel growth habits and a like planting of standard growth habit peach trees for comparison.  The field plots utilize sufficient tree numbers and acreage in order to demonstrate the commercial production potential of these novel growth habits for high-density peach production in the eastern U.S.

Accomplishments:  Field studies demonstrated the potential when planting pillar (also known as columnar) and upright peach tree growth habits at high density with significantly higher yields than conventional standard peach tree growth types.

Collaborator:

      Dr. Ralph Scorza, Research Horticulturist/Stone Fruit Breeder, USDA-ARS,AFRS-ARS-USDA

Publications:

      (Peach training Acta 592)

      (CSFWC, peach 04)

2.  Evaluate the performance of new apple varieties (cultivars) and develop horticultural management techniques for the most promising varieties.

Background: Commercial apple growers are seeking new varieties with improved pest resistance and high fruit quality that will bring greater returns than many of the current varieties.  Consumers are looking for high quality apples with good shelf life and unique flavors.  There is a need for the systematic evaluation of new apple varieties developed by breeders or discovered as natural mutations that may fulfill grower and consumer desires.

Goal:  Using a cooperative regional project, evaluate a large number of new apple varieties for their horticultural qualities and pest resistance.  Identify the most promising varieties for the mid-Atlantic growing region.

Approach: Two identical replicated orchards consisting of 23 apple cultivars or numbered selections were planted in 1995.  The first orchard was used to evaluate the horticultural characteristics (growth, yield, and fruit quality) of the newer apple cultivars.  The second orchard was used to determine the pest susceptibility (disease and insect) of the newer cultivars.  A third orchard was added in 1999 with an additional 20 replicated cultivars with the objective to examine horticultural characteristics.  The “rough skin” problem associated with one of the most promising cultivars, ‘GoldRush’, is being studied in detail and treatments to ameliorate the malady are underway.

Accomplishments:  Several new apple cultivars have been identified that are well adapted to the mid-Atlantic fruit growing region.  Information on disease and insect susceptibility has been developed and published along with production and horticultural characteristics.  Presentations have been made to various fruit growing and professional organizations describing the findings.

Collaborators:

      Dr. Alan Biggs, Plant Pathologist, West Virginia University

      Dr. Henry Hogmire, Entomologist, West Virginia University

Publications:

       (NE183 Intro.pdf)

      (NE183 Fruit Qual 95)

      (NE183 Fruit Sens 95)

      (NE183 WV diseases)

      (bitterrot)

      (Apple Cultivars PA Fruit News)

      (Apple Cultivars 032.ppt)

3.   Develop methods and new knowledge in the use and action of plant bioregulators to affect tree growth and cropping and enhance fruit quality.

Background:  Consistent annual cropping in apple requires moderate vegetative growth and annual return bloom.   In many apple growing regions of the U.S., soil and environmental conditions are conducive to excess vegetative growth and poor return bloom.  Plant bioregulators are a valuable tool that growers can use to regulate these processes.  Plant bioregulators have been widely used in apple production for 50 years, but how some of these materials work, particularly those used as apple thinners, is not well known.

Goal:  Develop practical methods for using plant bioregulators that affect growth, flowering, thinning, and fruit quality in today’s orchard and a better understanding of the mode of action of select bioregulators, particularly those used for thinning.

Approach:  Apply thinning bioregulators to apple trees in the field at various times and concentrations and examine the response to fruit set and carbohydrate levels.  Subject data from thinning studies to the Cornell Apple Tree Carbon Model.  Test low rate multi-spray bioregulator programs as a means for controlled suppression of shoot growth in young apple trees.  Evaluate various plant bioregulators and environmentally friendly compounds (e.g., particle films or natural oils) to improve fruit finish in select apple cultivars.  Develop novel applications for plant bioregulators integrated with sustainable orchard cultural techniques that lead to improved cropping, fruit set and/or fruit quality and aid in reducing pest pressures within the orchard environment.

Accomplishments:  Worked with BASF Corp., Ag products Div. and colleagues at several state experiment stations to develop the plant bioregulator prohexadione-calcium, which was registered as Apogee® for use to control vegetative growth in apple.  Was one of first in U.S. to recognize and publish data on the ability of Apogee to suppress the shoot blight stage of fire blight.  Together with a colleague demonstrated the relationship between apple shoot growth and fire blight suppression with Apogee and the effect of multiple low-rate applications on newly planted and young apple trees.  Demonstrated a negative interaction between gibberellin compounds used to control fruit cracking and Apogee which led to a label caution statement.

Collaborators:

      Dr. Mark Brown, Entomologist, USDA-ARS, AFRS

      Dr. D. Michael Glenn, Soil Scientist, USDA-ARS, AFRS

      Dr. John Norelli, Plant Pathologist, USDA-ARS, AFRS

      Dr. Thomas Tworkoski, Plant Physiologist, USDA-ARS, AFRS

Publications:

      (Prohex controls gro.pdf)

      (Prohex suppress FB)

      (Apo and FB04)

4.  Study the effect and interaction of temperature, shade, light, and whole tree gas exchange on flowering, fruiting, fruit drop, and growth in apple.

Background:  Environmental factors play a significant role in the growth and productivity of apple trees.  The mid-Atlantic fruit growing region presents a unique temperate climate and soil environment to examine physiological changes resulting from environmental factors and the ultimate effect on tree growth, productivity, and fruit quality.  A better understanding of these processes and their effect(s) could lead to new cultural management techniques and increased production efficiency.

Goal:  Under field conditions manipulate and monitor the orchard and/or canopy environment to gain a better understanding of key processes in apple tree physiology and annual cropping.

Approach:  Young bearing apple trees in an established orchard will be shaded at specific intervals on a daily basis throughout the growing season and/or for specific periods of time after petal fall to determine the effect on growth, flowering, fruit set, fruit quality, yield, and carbon partitioning.  Detailed records of light and temperature conditions within treated and control tree canopies will be collected and incorporated with growth, fruit set, and yield data for analysis in the Cornell Apple Tree Carbon Model.  The effect of select thinning bioregulators will be closely monitored along with changes in shoot carbon levels.  Field planted trees will be treated with supplemental lighting to determine the effect on carbon partitioning within the tree.

Accomplishments:  Preliminary data has shown significant differences in tree response to constant (24 hours) vs partial (3 to 6 hours) shading and suggests that light at specific time periods during the day (morning) may have a more positive effect on growth and fruiting than at other time periods (afternoon).

Collaborators:

      Dr. D. Michael Glenn, Soil Scientist, USDA-ARS, AFRS

      Dr. Alan Lakso, Plant Physiologist, Cornell University, Geneva, NY

Publications:

      (Shade CSFWC01)

Additional Accomplishments:

Developed technique and label recommendations for the control of rootsuckers and watersprout growth on apple trees using the bioregulators, NAA (Tre-Hold).

Conducted studies on nitrogen fertilization of apple that demonstrated the annual application of nitrogen fertilizers could be reduced without loss in productivity.  Studies provided basis for new fertilizer recommendations that were incorporated by extension fruit specialists.  Recommendations resulted in reduced N soil residues.

Conducted studies and provided data that played a significant role in developing the use of gibberellin sprays for the control of the “Stayman apple cracking” disorder.

Developed the first replicated data to support recommendations for pruning peach trees injured by low winter temperatures.

The first to demonstrate the effectiveness of plastic reflective groundcovers for improving red color on selected apple cultivars in the mid-Atlantic region.  These materials are now commercially available for fruit growers in the eastern U.S.

Together with a colleague was the first to recognize and characterize a novel disorder in nectarine named nectarine pox.  Based on our research, nectarine growers can take steps to reduce the incidence of the disorder.

Together with a colleague at AFRS demonstrated the potential for mechanically harvesting semi-dwarf free-standing apple trees and identified limitations.

Additional Publications:

      (Rootsucker ctrl.pdf)

      (Orch floor mgt Fert)

      (Rates of CalNit Fert)

      (Nect Pox descrip)

      (Reflective film)

      (Prune winter injur peach)

      (Mech Har Apple)