2006 Annual Report 1.What major problem or issue is being resolved and how are you resolving it (summarize project aims and objectives)? How serious is the problem? Why does it matter? Small fruit farming has historically required high labor and chemical inputs to produce superior fruit. Improvements in the production efficiency and harvesting systems of strawberries and blackberries are needed to foster commercial expansion of these small fruits and help mitigate production factors limiting profit potential. In the current global economic market, the blackberry industry in the Pacific Northwest and the blueberry industry in the southeastern United States, finds it difficult to maintain a profitable operation with ever-increasing competition and market share by fruits being imported from countries to the south. The project has two goals:. 1)Develop benign and environmentally friendly crop management practices to mitigate environmental and biotic stresses and to increase productivity and quality of small fruit crops and. 2)document the effects of plant material source and environmental conditions during propagation and generative stages of blackberry and strawberry plant development in order to devise management strategies aimed at producing high quality, superior yielding strawberry transplants. Research into alternative production systems, pest control strategies, and evaluation of novel germplasm materials is expected to provide new technology that will create new opportunities to produce blackberries and blueberries for fresh market. Harvesting is one area where technological advances can contribute to increasing output while lowering labor cost, and improve the competitive position in global markets. Research on soilless production techniques for strawberries will provide new technology for management of strawberries without the need for pre-plant soil fumigation and also opportunities to extend the harvest and eliminate nutrient leaching. Technology transfer efforts proposed in this project are expected to improve viability of small fruit farming and rural vitality in several regions of the United States. The research to be undertaken falls under National Program 305, Crop Production and addresses goals 1.2, 2, and 3.2 as described in the National Strategic Plan. Specifically these are:. 1)Develop crop management principles. Improve the understanding of the biological mechanisms to enhance the competitive advantage of U.S. small fruit crops and. 2)Develop crop management practices and technologies for berry crops. 2.List by year the currently approved milestones (indicators of research progress) The objectives and milestones for this project were modified and approved by the Area Director and NPS in May 2006. Specifically, in FY 2006 we terminated the study for managing nutrient discharge from soilless, hydroponic system using a split-root growing technique and started a new line of research that focuses on the analyses of biochemical processes and patterns of gene expression associated with the development of floral competency in short-day strawberry plants with the capacity to flower in fall and spring. FY 2004 Objective 1 - Develop benign and environmentally friendly crop management practices to mitigate environmental and biotic stresses and to increase productivity and quality of small fruit crops. Complete design and construction of a prototype winter protection system for bramble crops established in areas with low winter temperatures. Complete evaluation of products formulated with kaolin clay particles for mollusc control. Complete development and testing of split-root system for managing nutrient discharge problems associated with growing strawberries in soilless, hydroponic system. Objective 2 – Regulate time of flowering and fruit harvest in primocane-fruiting blackberry and short-day strawberry cultivars. Conduct studies to examine effects of daylengths on flowering in blackberries. Complete studies to examine effects of cold storage treatments on strawberry transplants and their performance in plasticulture. FY 2005 Objective 1 - Develop benign and environmentally friendly crop management practices to mitigate environmental and biotic stresses and to increase productivity and quality of small fruit crops. Complete additional field studies to evaluate new materials for winter protection of blackberries. Complete testing of improved formulations for molluscicidal control that have extended residual activity. Complete assessing nutrient management practices to reduce nutrient discharge. Objective 2 – Regulate time of flowering and fruit harvest in primocane-fruiting blackberry and short-day strawberry cultivars. Complete experiments to characterize growth response of floricane-fruiting blackberries grown at different temperatures and daylengths and their relationships to flower bud development. Complete experiments to identify production factors that may limit the sustainability of soilless strawberry propagation techniques. FY2006 Objective 1 - Develop benign and environmentally friendly crop management practices to mitigate environmental and biotic stresses and to increase productivity and quality of small fruit crops. Complete experiments for evaluating the rotating cross-arm trellis system on trailing blackberry cultivars under mid-Atlantic coast conditions and test different management scenario. Complete analysis of nutrient uptake and growth for strawberry plants in split-root growing system. Complete experiments on extended rain-fast property for molluscicidal activity. Initiate experiments for managing the raspberry crown borer pest in bramble crops using kaolin clay soil mulch. Objective 2 – Regulate time of flowering and fruit harvest in primocane-fruiting blackberry and short-day strawberry cultivars. Complete experiments to evaluate the potential of early transplant propagation date for promoting fall flowering and fruit production among short-day cultivars. Complete experiments to characterize growth rate and time to flowering of primocane-fruiting blackberries grown at different temperatures. FY2007 Objective 1 - Develop benign and environmentally friendly crop management practices to mitigate environmental and biotic stresses and to increase productivity and quality of small fruit crops. Complete experiments on winter protection techniques in New Hampshire and Maine. Complete economic evaluation of rotating cross-arm trellis and floating row cover treatment for improving the winter survival of trailing blackberries under the mid-Atlantic coast conditions. Initiate field tests to evaluate the damage by the raspberry crown borer insect in plants treated with kaolin clay particle soil mulch. Complete integration of novel, kaolin-based molluscicides for slug control in small fruit production. Objective 2 – Regulate time of flowering and fruit harvest in primocane-fruiting blackberry and short-day strawberry cultivars. Complete studies to determine the relationship between different daylengths and time to flowering in primocane-fruiting blackberries. Complete economic evaluation for fall fruit production using passively heated protective culture system and strawberry transplants that are programmed to flower in fall and spring. Complete preliminary assessment of anatomical and biochemical changes associated with the capacity of some short-day strawberry cultivars to produce fruit in fall and spring. FY2008 Objective 1 - Develop benign and environmentally friendly crop management practices to mitigate environmental and biotic stresses and to increase productivity and quality of small fruit crops. Complete economic evaluation of winter protection technique for growing erect, eastern blackberries in New England states. Complete field studies to evaluate infestation of crown boring insects and plant growth in blackberries treated with kaolin clay soil mulch. Objective 2 – Regulate time of flowering and fruit harvest in primocane-fruiting blackberry and short-day strawberry cultivars. Complete experiments to determine signal transduction networks and photobiology associated with fall flowering in short-day strawberries. Complete studies to determine the optimum temperature for growth and flowering time for primocane fruiting blackberries using accumulated day degrees to flowering and the relationship between effective temperature and the time to flowering and fruiting. FY2009 The termination date of the current CRIS project is 11/27/2008. Objective 1 - Develop benign and environmentally friendly crop management practices to mitigate environmental and biotic stresses and to increase productivity and quality of small fruit crops. Complete activities to transfer technology on winter protection system for bramble production, on strawberry transplant production protocol for double-cropping short-day strawberries in the eastern United States, and on kaolin clay –based treatment for control of mollusc and insects that attack crowns of bramble crops. Objective 2 – Regulate time of flowering and fruit harvest in primocane-fruiting blackberry and short-day strawberry cultivars. Complete biological analysis for application of novel strawberry transplant propagation method for cropping short-day cultivars in fall and again in spring 4a.List the single most significant research accomplishment during FY 2006. Winter protection technique for blackberries. When temperatures drop below -15 degrees C, blackberry canes and buds can be damaged resulting in low productivity. At the Appalachian Fruit Research Station, Kearneysville, WV, scientists developed a novel technique to mitigate winter injury in which a rotating cross-arm trellis system and cane training technique re-oriented a vertical canopy in summer to low profile canopy in winter without breaking canes. The studies showed that even cultivars developed in the Pacific Northwest such as "Siskiyou", a USDA release, produced 3 to 4 times more fruit than unprotected plants and blackberry plants that were covered in winter also produced fruit 2 to 3 weeks earlier. This production technique enable blackberries to ripen during the red raspberry season and can help to extend the harvest season. The new cropping system improves farm diversification and helps blackberry growers to produce a variety of berry crops for niche markets and has been the basis for establishing non-funded cooperative agreements with University of Maine and University of New Hampshire. Our accomplishment to date has improved the understanding of the biological mechanisms affecting crop productivity and enhanced the competitive advantage of U.S. small fruit growers. The research comes under Action Plan for NP 305, Component 1 - Integrated Production Systems, and addresses problem under Component C. Sustainable Cropping Systems and Component 2 - Agroengineering, Agrochemical, and Related Technologies and addresses problem under its Component D. Controlled-Environment Production Systems. It addresses CRIS objective on developing winter protection technique for growing blackberries in colder regions and increasing productivity and quality of small fruit crops. 4b.List other significant research accomplishment(s), if any. Machine harvesting fresh-market quality rabbiteye and southern highbush blueberries. Scientists responded to a request from the North American Blueberry Council and Georgia Blueberry Association to assist the blueberry industry in Georgia to improve the quality of machine harvested blueberries and reduce labor cost associated with harvest operation and worked with several cooperators at University of Georgia to evaluate new cane pruning technique for mechanically harvesting rabbiteye and southern highbush blueberries for fresh market. Special pruning treatment permitted a USDA-developed blueberry harvester to detach fruit without breaking canes. Based on fruit quality attributes such as skin wax retention and internal bruising, berries harvested with this harvester was superior to those harvested by a conventional mechanical blueberry harvester and as good as hand harvested fruit, but additional mechanical refinements are needed to reduce the amount of fruit with a stem that the machine removes. A manuscript for HortTechnology was prepared and logged in ARIS. The research comes under NP 305, Component 2 - Agroengineering, Agrochemical, and Related Technologies and addresses problem under its Component A. Automation and Mechanization to Improve Labor Productivity and addresses CRIS objective for developing benign and environmentally friendly crop management practices to mitigate environmental and biotic stresses and to increase productivity and quality of small fruit crops. 4c.List significant activities that support special target populations. NONE 4d.Progress report. 'Boysenberry', 'Navaho', and 'Triple Crown' blackberries were established in the field or potted and grown in a plastic house at the Maine Agricultural Research Center in Manmouth, ME in 2005. The purpose of this project (1931-21000-012-01N) is to develop novel blackberry cultural techniques to mitigate low temperature damage. In spring 2006, one-year-old plants in the field were evaluated for winter survival. Due to lack of adequate snow cover, all canes were killed back to the crown. Crowns were not injured and vigorous primocanes emerged in May. The rotatable cross-arm trellis will be installed in 2006 and primocanes will be trained onto it and next winter the plants will be covered with protection material. An effective winter protection system will help farmers to grow blackberries in northern states. The purpose of this project (1931-21000-012-02N) is to develop novel blackberry cultural techniques to mitigate low temperature damage. In late fall 2005, middle 1/3-section of each row was covered with floating row cover and in spring 2006 plant survival was assessed. The findings showed that 'Triple Crown' blackberry plants that were covered during winter produced fruit while no flowering shoots appeared on plants that were not covered. An effective winter protection system would help to expand the blackberry production areas in which a USDA-developed blackberries such as 'Triple Crown' can be grown. Another USDA-developed trailing blackberry ('Siskiyou') could not be adequately protected by simply covering them with light-weight spun-bounded polyester fabric under New Hampshire conditions. 5.Describe the major accomplishments to date and their predicted or actual impact. The number of registered herbicides for small fruit culture continues to decline in number and there is a need for alternative, more environmentally friendly weed control measures for small fruit crops especially during the first two months following crop establishment. At the Appalachian Fruit Research Station, Kearneysville, WV, scientists completed a three-year field studies that evaluated the potential of hydrophobic and oil-based mulches as alternatives to the conventional herbicide treatment to suppress weeds and their effect on subsequent blackberry growth and yield. They found that in the establishment year plants in unmanaged, weedy plots grew half as much as those growing in weed-free planting holes and post-plant application of hydrophobic kaolin mulch provided excellent weed control during establishment year and had no adverse effect on blackberry transplant mortality, growth in second and third year, or fruit yield. This research has identified the use of hydrophobic kaolin clay particle as an environmentally safe new weed management technique that mitigates scarcity of synthetic chemicals for small fruit crops as well as other horticultural crops and improves the economic viability of small fruit production. Actual Impact: This information formed the basis for a patent application (Docket No. 10/822,886) submitted to the US Patent and Trademark Office. Potential Impact: This work appeared in a peer-reviewed journal, and, if adopted, it could significantly change how small fruit growers manage weeds in their fields. The research accomplishment comes under Action Plan for NP 305, Component 1 - Integrated Production Systems, and aligns to Component C - Sustainable Cropping Systems and addresses CRIS objective to develop benign and environmentally friendly crop management practices to mitigate environmental and biotic stresses. Hand harvesting of small fruit crops requires a large work force and is quite expensive. A new canopy management technique for small fruit crops facilitated machine harvesting and contributed to the development of a commercially viable blueberry harvester capable of harvesting fresh market quality berries. We demonstrated that winter pruning of upright and over-arching canes on mature rabbiteye blueberry plants enabled a V45 Blueberry Harvester to machine harvest them without damaging bushes and detach fresh-market quality fruit. Potential Impact: If rabbiteye blueberry growers adopt our cultural practice, then mechanically harvested rabbiteye blueberries with high quality will become available for fresh fruit consumption. This will improve the sustainability of rabbiteye blueberry industry in the southeastern United States. The research comes under NP 305, Component 2 - Agroengineering, Agrochemical, and Related Technologies and it aligns with Component A. Automation and Mechanization to Improve Labor Productivity and addresses CRIS objectives developing benign and environmentally friendly crop management practices to mitigate environmental and biotic stresses and to increase productivity and quality of small fruit crops. Strawberry production in the eastern United States is only seasonal. We developed a new strawberry propagation strategy in which we produced strawberry transplants that will flower in fall and spring. This production strategy allows eastern strawberry growers to supply fresh berries to niche markets when the prices are high and shipments from major production areas such as California and Florida are low. Actual Impact: Several growers in Maryland, Washington, and Pennsylvania have modified their strawberry transplanting time to obtain strawberries in fall and spring. The research accomplishment comes under Action Plan for NP 305, Component 1 - Integrated Production Systems, and aligns to Component - C Sustainable Cropping Systems and addresses CRIS objective on improved understanding of mechanisms controlling flowering and carpel size in small fruit crops to enhance fruiting and fruit quality. 6.What science and/or technologies have been transferred and to whom? When is the science and/or technology likely to become available to the end-user (industry, farmer, other scientists)? What are the constraints, if known, to the adoption and durability of the technology products? We provided scientific information, data, and technical specifications on soilless strawberry production systems and blackberry production systems to over 100 growers, more than 40 scientists, and regional agricultural enterprise development specialists in Virginia, Georgia, and California. Several strawberry farmers in the mid-Atlantic coast region are using our transplant propagation method. In FY2006, scientists at four Land-Grant Institutions and Noble Foundation in Ardmore, OK established field experiments with transplants prepared according to techniques developed by AFRS scientists to study propagation techniques for promoting fruit production from October to December. We transferred the technology on alternative weed management to farmers and other scientists through several publications in peer-reviewed journal articles and conference proceedings. The information on trellis system and cane training techniques enables blackberry production in regions with cold winters such as the New England. We initiated a cooperative projects with a scientist at the University of Maine, who received a $5,000 financial support from the Maine Agricultural Experiment Station, to conduct research to develop new technologies, including AFRS winter protection technique, for growing blackberries in areas with low winter temperatures and short growing seasons. We have conducted tours for students, growers, and extension personnel in which we discussed current research and provided information that would assist in making management decisions for reliable production of high-quality strawberries and blackberries. The strawberry nursery industry in the mid-Atlantic coast region may resist the adoption of greenhouse soilless strawberry propagation technique unless fungicides are available to control anthracnose disease and agricultural inspection service can certify that transplants are reasonably clean. 7.List your most important publications in the popular press and presentations to organizations and articles written about your work. (NOTE: List your peer reviewed publications below). Takeda, F., Handley. 2006. A winter protection system for blackberries. North American Bramble Growers Association 2006 Annual Conference Proceedings, p. 21-25. Byczynski, L. 2006. Take tips in July for strawberries in fall. Growing for Market 15(5):2; 13. Takeda, F. 2006. A simple winter protection system for blackberries. Ohio Fruit ICM News 10(4):8-10. ARS Agricultural Research magazine/July 2006, p. 23. "Fresh strawberries for winter holidays!" A presentation on new production techniques for growing blackberries in colder regions was made at 2006 North American Berry Conference in Savannah, GA, A presentation on winter protection system was made at 2006 Mid-Atlantic Coast Fruit and Vegetable Convention in Hershey, PA, to an audience that consisted of 100 small-acreage farmers. A presentation was at the Virginia Rural Innovation Forum in Winchester, VA on cultural techniques for producing strawberries in out-of-season. There were about 230 family farm operators in the audience. A presentation on winter protection system was made at 2006 Annual Conference of the American Society for Horticultural Science in New Orleans, LA. A presentation was made at University of California Blueberry and Blackberry Field Day in Parlier, CA on the use of novel trellis system to reduce sun burn injury on blackberries grown in the southern part of San Joaquin Valley to an audience of 250 family farm operators. Review Publications Takeda, F., Hokanson, S.C., Swartz, H.J., Perkins Veazie, P.M. 2006. Strawberry transplant production and performance in annual plasticulture system. Acta Horticulturae. 708: 213-216. Takeda, F., Newell, M. 2006. "A method for forcing autumn flowering in short-day 'Carmine' strawberry". HortScience. 41(2):480-481.