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Editorial Fruit Quarterly SUMMER 2018 Change is Complicated

he only certainty in today’s world is change. Regulations, Try different packaging in your market. Travel to a meeting growing practices, crop protection products, markets, outside of your state or country. Tconsumer preferences, buyer requirements, varieties, weather, labor, equipment, and on and on. The pace of change New innovations at my family operation in 2018: we are is moving faster and faster. The way things are accomplished planting 4 new apple varieties and have renovated a barn to today will be completely different in: 2 years? 5 years? Growers host wedding receptions. A full-time chef has been hired to today need to be marketers, entomologists, plant pathologists, cater events. With great risk comes the potential for great equipment engineers, labor managers, accountants, economists reward. and much more! How do you prepare for the coming changes? What resources Growers usually fall into one of the following 3 categories: do you take advantage of? Three of my favorite organizations “Early Adopters”, excited to implement new ideas and try the are: newest things. “Wait-and-Seers”, excited about and acutely 1. International Fruit Tree Association (IFTA). The IFTA aware of new opportunities and techniques but watching to will help you with innovative production techniques see how things work out for the early adopters. “Would Never (ifruittree.org). Work on My Farm-ers”, what I’m doing has worked for me like 2. The North American Farm Direct Marketing Association this for years, no need to change. (NAFDMA) helps farmers with direct marketing and agritourism opportunities (farmersinspired.com). Recognizing the need to change and innovate is the first step 3. The US Apple Association advocates for the US apple toward a more successful apple operation. Quantum leaps industry (usapple.org). forward are not necessary. Economics needs to drive all These organizations exist for one purpose only: To help decisions. A friend of mine from told me that they growers become more successful. no longer measure success in an apple block by bins per acre. The only number that matters is profit per acre. It does not Bill Dodd matter if you pick 100 bins per acre if the variety is obsolete President, Midwest Apple Improvement Association and the marketers cannot sell them! Work to understand Premier Apple which blocks are making money and why. Put in a small test Amherst, OH plot of a new variety or a different trellis/planting system. [email protected]

100 A Passive 90 Ethylene 80 70 60 50 40 Bi/er pit (%) pit Bi/er 30 20 10 0 O1 O2 O3 O4 O5 O6 'WNY'

100 B Passive 5 11 15 21 90 25 Ethylene 80 70 60 50 40 Bi/er pit (%) pit Bi/er Contents 30 20 10 0 5 Update on New Apple Varieties, Managed 15 Bacterial Strain Affects Response to FireO1 O2 25 O3 Breeding O4 O5 Apple O6 Rootstocks to Match Cultural and 'HV' Varieties and Clubs Blight in Nutrient Requirements of Scion Varieties Figure 2. Bitter pit in '' apples harvested three weeks before anticipated harvest from 6 Susan Brown and Kevin Maloney Awais Khan, Elsa Desnoues, and Mason Clarkorchards in HV and 6 G. F in azio, WNY J. and Lordan, kept at P. 68°F Francescatto, with and without dipping in 2000ppm ethephon and T. L. Robinson up to 3 weeks.

11 Studies on and Fungicide Use During 21 Non-Mineral Prediction of Bitter Pit in Bloom ‘Honeycrisp’ Apples Julianna Wilson Yosef Al Shoffe, Jacqueline F. Nock, Christopher B. COVER: Pollen trap in use (left) and a pollen trap Watkins drawer full of bee-collected pollen (right) that was used to determine the kinds of pollen honey bees collected during spring orchard bloom in Michigan

FRUIT QUARTERLY . VOLUME 26 . NUMBER 2 . SUMMER 2018 1

Fruit Quarterly SUMMER 2018 • VOLUME 26 • NUMBER 2

NEW YORK STATE HORTICULTURAL SOCIETY APPLE RESEARCH & DEVELOPMENT PROGRAM ADVISORY BOARD

President Ned Morgan, Morgan Farms LLC Chairman Walt Blackler, Apple Acres 3131 Pigeon Hill Road, Marion, NY 14505 4633 Cherry Valley Tpk. Lafayette, NY 13084 Cell: 585-752-9771; FAX: (315) 926-7740 PH: 315-677-5144 (W); 315-729-3728 (C) email: [email protected] [email protected] Grower Kevin Bittner, Singer Farms Vice President Ted Furber, Cherry Lawn Farms Representative 8776 Coleman Rd., Barker, NY 14012-9697 8130 Glover Road, Sodus, NY 14551 – Western PH: 716-795-3030 (P); 716-778-7330 (W) PH: 315-483-8529; FAX: 315-483-6408 [email protected] Cell: (315) 573-4046 NYS BERRY GROWERS BOARD MEMBERS e-mail: [email protected] Grower Jennifer Crist Kohn, Crist Brothers Orchard Inc. Representative 65 Crist Ln., Walden, NY 12586 Co-Chairs Dale Ila Riggs, The Berry Patch Treasurer/Sec. Ward Dobbins, H.H. Dobbins & Son – Eastern PH: 845-778-7424 (W); 845-629-2990 (C) 15370 NY 22, Stephentown, NY 12168 99 West Ave., PO Box 503, Lyndonville, NY 14098 PH: 518- 733-6772; [email protected] PH: (585) 765-2271; FAX: (585) 765-9710 Mason Forrence, Forrence Orchards Cell: (716) 622-6636 2740 Route 22, Peru, NY 12972 Liz Madison, Belle Terre Farm e-mail: [email protected] PH: 518-643-9527; 518-726-6074 (C); FX: 518-643-9509 8142 Champlin Road, Sodus, NY 14551 [email protected] PH: (315) 483-6155; [email protected] Executive Director Paul Baker Ted Furber, Cherry Lawn Farms Treasurer Tony Emmi, Emmi Farms 3568 Saunders Settlement Rd., Sanborn, NY 14132 8099 GLover Rd., Sodus, NY 14551 1572 S. Ivy Trail, Baldwinsville, NY 13027 FAX: (716) 219-4089; Cell: (716) 807-6827 PH: 315-483-9221; 315-573-4046 (C); FX: 315-483-6408 PH: 315-374-3577; [email protected] e-mail: [email protected] [email protected] Executive Secretary Paul Baker Office Admin. Karen Wilson Mark McMullen, Marketing Order Administrator 3568 Saunders Settlement Rd., Sanborn, NY 14132 630 W. North St., Geneva, NY 14456 NY State Dept. of Agriculture & Markets CELL: 716-807-6827; FAX: (716) 219-4089 PH: (315) 787-2404 (W); FAX: (315) 787-2216 10B Airline Drive, Albany, NY 12235 [email protected] PH: 518-457-4383; FX: 518-457-2716 Cell: (315) 521-0852 Bruce Carson, Carson’s Farm [email protected] e-mail: [email protected] 2328 Reed Rd., Bergen, NY 14416 Jeff Smith, Ledge Rock Farms LLC PH: 585-507-2691; [email protected] Cornell Director Dr. Art Agnello, NYSAES, Department of Entomology 4362 South Gravel Road, Medina, NY 14103 630 W. North St. Geneva, NY 14456 Dave Duda, Duda’s Blues Family Farm and Winery PH: 585-798-3831 PH: (315) 787-2341 (W); FAX: (315) 787-2326 9582 N. Sisson Rd., Machias, NY 14101 [email protected] Cell: (315) 719-4623 PH: 716-353-4303; [email protected] e-mail: [email protected] Peter Ten Eyck, Indian Ladder Farms Amy MacHamer, Hurd Orchards 342 Altamont-Voorheesville Road 17260 Ridge Rd., Holley, NY 14470 Director John Ivison, Helena Chemical Company Altamont, NY 12009 PH: 585-638-8838; [email protected] 165 Platt St., Suite 100, Albion, NY 14411 PH: 518-765-2956; 518-698-6258 (C); FX: 518-765-2700 PH: (585) 589-4195 (W); FAX: (585) 589-0257 [email protected] Terry Mosher, Mosher Farms Cell: (585) 509-2262 3214 Fargo Road, Bouckville, NY 13310 e-mail: [email protected] Processor Vacant PH: 315-893-7173; [email protected] Representative Director Alisha Albinder, Hudons River Fruit Distributors Chuck Mead, Mead Orchards LLC 65 Old Indian Road, PO Box 246, Milton, NY 12547 15 Scism Rd., Tivoli, NY 12583 PH: (845) 795-2121; FAX: (845) 795-2618 PH: 845-756-5641 (W); CELL: 845-389-0731 Cell: (845) 518-3962 [email protected] e-mail: [email protected]

Director Randy Hart, Hart Apple Farms, LLC MICHIGAN APPLES BOARD MEMBERS 2301 Rt. 22, Peru, NY 12972 Chair Tony Blattner Cell: (518) 524-5366 SUMMER 2018 • VOLUME 26 • NUMBER 2 Lowell, MI e-mail: [email protected] This publication is a joint effort of the State Horticultural Society, Vice Chair Mark Youngquist Cornell University’s New York State Agricultural Experiment Station at Director Elizabeth Madison Kent City, MI Geneva, the New York State Apple Research and Development Program, 5812 Middle Road, Sodus, NY 14551 Executive Committee Members Michagan Apple Committee, and the NYSBGA. PH: (315) 483-6155 e-mail: [email protected] Mike Dietrich Editor Dr. Art Agnello Conklin, MI Dept. of Entomology Director Brett Kast, Kast Farms, Inc. New York State Agricultural Experiment Station Damon Glei Geneva, NY 14456 2911 Densmore Road, Albion, NY 14411 Hillsdale, MI PH: (585) 589-9557 PH: 315-787-2341; FX: 315-787-2326 e-mail: [email protected] Robert Gregory CELL: 315-719-4623

Leland, MI [email protected] Director Joel Crist, Crist Bros. Orchards Art Lister Subscriptions Karen Wilson 65 Crist Lane, Walden, NY 12586 Ludington, MI & Advertising NYSHS, 630 W. North St., Geneva, NY 14456 PH: (585) 778-7424 Cell: (845) 629-0761 PH: 315-787-2404; FAX: 315) 787-2216 e-mail: [email protected] Jeremy Shank [email protected] Dowagiac, MI Design Elaine L. Gotham Director Richard Breslawski, Charles Breslawski Farm Executive Director Diane Smith Gotham City Design, Naples, NY 501 Priem Rd., Hamlin, NY 14464 Michigan Apple Committee PH: 585-374-9585; [email protected] Cell: (585) 831-0643 13750 S. Sedona Parkway, Suite 3 Production Gemma Osborne e-mail: [email protected] Lansing, MI 48906 CALS Communications Ph. 800.456.2753 Fax 517.669.9506 NYSAES, Geneva, NY PH: 315-787-2248; [email protected]

2 NEW YORK STATE HORTICULTURAL SOCIETY THE PICKIN’ IS EASY WITH THESE MACHINES The Munckhof Pluk-O-Trak The REVO Piuma 4WD Harvester

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“A new growing season is here. Orchards are being pruned, field plans are being finalized and in some cases actions taken towards the fields. CPS would like to partner with you and help you maximize your return on investments made. We wish you much success and ask you to make farm safety a daily priority.”

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FRUIT QUARTERLY . VOLUME 26 . NUMBER 2 . SUMMER 2018 3 Kinz

Email: [email protected] Web: [email protected]

ONE CHANGE – PUT KINZE IN PLACE OF RHINO IN THE AD -THANKS

4 NEW YORK STATE HORTICULTURAL SOCIETY Update on New Apple Varieties, Managed Varieties and Clubs Susan Brown and Kevin Maloney Horticulture Section, School of Integrative Plant Science, Cornell University, Geneva, NY Keywords: branding, apple marketing, apple , exclusive licensing, patents

his is the third in a series of updates on club varieties. Apples in the News Readers are encouraged to review the earlier series ‘Antietam Blush’: US plant patent 28,595 was granted in for additional information (Brown and Maloney 2009, 2017. University of Maryland Professor Chris Walsh and then T 2013). In this graduate student Julia Harshman were the creators. This apple article, we are is a hybrid of ‘’ x an unknown advanced selection of “In this article, we are stressing some of stressing some ‘McIntosh Wijcik’ (columnar habit) x ‘’. It ripens about the the managed or new varieties being of the managed first week of October and seems to tolerate the heat. The narrow tested in New York, or those gaining or new varieties canopy may reduce pruning needs. attention on an international scale.” being tested ‘’ (‘Huaguan’): A cross of ‘’ x ‘Golden Deli- in New York cious’ made in 1976. ‘Autumn Glory’ is bi-color, with a striped (such as ‘Koru’ red blush over yellow. The fruits are large and slightly ribbed. or ‘Smitten’), or The flavor is sweet, with some reports of caramel and cinnamon those gaining attention on an international scale (such as the notes, while others do not perceive those flavors. ‘Autumn Glory’ scab-resistant apples ‘Natyra’ and ‘Bonita’). The trademarked is exclusive to Domex Superfresh Growers® in State. or marketing names of the apples are used, and the varietal https://www.superfreshgrowers.com/our-fruit/apples/autumn- names follow, as the trademarked names are best known by glory. Unfortunately, two samples purchased in Geneva NY on consumers and growers. If you are interested in testing some April 17 had internal disorders, yet this was traced back by the of these selections, we encourage you to read the plant patent, company to very young trees and a late harvest. Their customer which is available and may be downloaded from the US plant service was excellent. patent database at www.uspto.gov. Plant patents provide details ‘Baker’s Delight’ (MAIA8): A ‘Goldrush’ x ‘Sweet 16’ cross, that are not always featured in variety release notices. Where with a different flavor profile, with some suggesting a flavor simi- possible, the US plant patent number is included in the write- lar to cherry or strawberry milkshakes. This apple tends to set a up. Anyone with comments on varieties they are testing, that heavy crop, which may negatively impact its unique flavor profile. differ from these reports, are encouraged to contact Susan at Fruits are medium in size and reported to have a tender texture. [email protected]. Fruits are said to hang well on the tree and be good for baking, There are two commercialization entities detailed below, due to sufficient acidity (Herrick 2017). MAIA8 ripens in early which provide information on new offerings on their website. to mid-September — about a week after ‘Honeycrisp’. Trees are Midwestern Apple Improvement Association (MAIA): This available from Gurney’s Seed and Nursery for the home market group is best known for their ‘EverCrisp’ apple, but recently and commercially from Wafler Nursery (NY) and Early Morning released more varieties. Contracts require a one- time payment, Star Nursery (WA). a $1 per tree royalty and trademark fees of 20 cents per tree in ‘Bonita’: This scab-resistant variety from the Czech Republic years four through 10; and 30 cents per tree in years 11 through is a hybrid of ‘’ x ‘Cripps Pink’ (‘Pink Lady’®); it is being 20. The website offers candid discussions on the strengths and planted in Italy and represents 10% of new plantings. Bonita has weakness of the selections and varieties, and testers are encour- 13°Brix and 0.7% titratable acidity and it ripens close to ‘Golden aged to stay informed. Delicious’. It is important to stress that brief descriptions of each ‘Bravo’ (ANABP-1): The marketing tag-line is “like no other”. variety may be based on MAIA test plot experiences over the ‘Bravo’ is a cross of ‘Royal Gala’ x ‘’ (aka ‘Sundowner’) last five years, so any discussions about field resistances should developed in Manjimup, Australia, ‘There are 60 producers in be interpreted with caution. Their Ortet newsletters are an Australia and testing is beginning in Singapore. ‘Bravo’ is an excellent source of information. http://www.midwestapple. unusual, deep burgundy to black in color and has reduced flesh com/midwest-apple-improvement-association-about.htm browning after cutting. It is sweet but with an acid balance. : The first transgenic apples offered in the ‘Bravo’ is also late ripening, maturing about 2 weeks before ‘Cripps US, these apples have silencing of polyphenol oxidase (PPO), to Pink’. ‘Bravo’ has a narrow harvest window. The thicker skin is reduce flesh browning after cutting. Three apples are available: suggested to reduce bruising. https://www.fruitwest.com.au/ ‘Arctic Granny, ‘Arctic Golden’, ‘Arctic Fuji’, and an ‘Arctic Gala’ bravo.htm is in development. Further information is available at www.arc- ‘’ (WA 38): USPP# 24,210 in 2014. This hybrid ticapples.com/arctic-apples-r/arctic-apples-varieties/. A New of ‘Honeycrisp’ x ‘’ from Washington State University York Fruit Quarterly article reviewed this technology (Xu 2013). is set to make history in terms of rapid commercialization of an

FRUIT QUARTERLY . VOLUME 26 . NUMBER 2 . SUMMER 2018 5 apple variety. 2019 will be the first commercial debut in super- et al. 2015). Reports submitted to Enza by researchers also men- markets. The production goal of 10 million boxes within the tion russet and shrivel (Breen et al. 2008), bitter pit, and internal first 5 years requires a massive push of new plantings. WA 38 browning. Bulls eye rot infections are not frequent, but given it has excellent storage and quality attributes. A team of research- is a quarantine pathogen, it was studied proactively (Everett et ers are aiding growers with recommendations on best practices al. 2017). Van Hooijdon et al. (2014) suggested specific pruning for ‘Cosmic Crisp’. All of this is detailed on the website. https:// techniques to maximize fruit quality. https://envyapples.com/ www.cosmiccrisp.com/the-facts/. Stay tuned! en/about-envy ‘Crimson Snow’: (AU): (MC28*) “Great Feeling” is the mar- ‘EverCrisp’® (MAIA1): USPP 24,579, granted in July 2014. keting tag-line. This chance seedling found in Australia will be This hybrid of ‘Honeycrisp’ x ‘Fuji’, resembles ‘Fuji’ and the quality managed by Kiku. Reported to have great coloration, white flesh is a mix of the parents, with excellent storage life. Comments from and slow fresh browning after cutting. ‘Crimson Snow’ needs the patent and website include: russet extending out over stem special production techniques to ensure annual bearing. http:// cavity, with tendency to crack, modest susceptibility to watercore, www.kiku-partner.com/en/crimson-snow-mc38s/ susceptible to scab, powdery mildew, soft rot (Penicillium). Fire ‘Crunch-a-Bunch’ (MAIA7): USPP 29,126, granted in 2018. blight was reported in Massachusetts with MAIA1 on B9. Fruit This yellow apple is an open-pollinated ‘Honeycrisp’ seedling, are late ripening and tree vigor is low to medium. Calyx cracking with ‘Goldrush’ suggested as a potential parent. Trees are prone (about 30%) was reported on 3rd-leaf trees in Maryland. There to oversetting and can become biennial, but the quality is said to is excellent information on issues to watch for, as well as sugges- be retained with a heavy crop. That statement needs to be con- tions for mitigation, on the website. MAIA is partnering with the firmed. This apple’s flavor is said to have hints of pineapple and International Pome Fruit Alliance for global marketing rights. tropical fruits, and the fruits have a light texture. The patent for ‘Gala’ sports MAIA7 indicated that it is susceptible to powdery mildew and ‘Foxtrot’: USPP 24,664, July 2014. A whole-tree muta- to soft rot (Penicillium) in storage. tion of ‘Tenroy Gala’ with early ripening and intense ‘Dazzle’ (PremA129): The US plant patent application was coloration. filed in 2016. The pedigree of PremA129 is ‘NZ Queen’/’Scired’ ‘Wildfire Gala’™ (PPAF): This sport is said to ripen 3 (which is a cross of ‘Gala’ x ‘’) x ‘Sweetie’ (a hybrid of weeks earlier than standard ‘Gala’. It is available from ‘Royal Gala’ x ‘’). The cross was made in 1997. FruitCraft Helios Nursery. in New Zealand, formed by three of NZ’s largest growers (Mr. ‘First Kiss’ (MN 55): The name for MN 55 when grown in Apple, Bostock and Freshmax) obtained the worldwide rights Minnesota. More details on this apple are covered in the ‘Rave’ to premA129 from Prevar, Ltd. Fruitcraft is forecasting that 1 section, the name used outside of Minnesota. million cartons will be exported from NZ by 2028. ‘Dazzle’ is a ‘Franklin’ (‘Mayo’): USPP 28,791. This partially russeted large red and very sweet apple (Figure 1), with about 14.5°Brix apple was named for its in Franklin, VT. It is suggested and low acidity (0.26–0.32). More information may be found at for use by the sweet and hard industry, yet it is unclear how www.dazzleapple.com. extensively it has been tested for horticultural attributes and cider production, so those interested in ‘Franklin’ might want to start with a small test planting. ‘Honeycrisp’ sports ‘Cameron Select Honeycrisp’: From Cameron Nursery in Washington State, this sport has redder color. ‘Firestorm Honeycrisp’: This sport is reported to color well, even in heat. Tree loss has been reported on Geneva 935 rootstock (Courtney 2017). Honeycrisp (MINB42): USPP#26,644. This sport originated as a limb mutation in the University of Minnesota’s research block. It is said to allow excellent red coloration in regions not prone to good coloring of ‘Honeycrisp’, with the patent indicating southern NY and Southern as two such regions. ‘New Zealand Honeycrisp’: For retailers wanting ‘Hon- eycrisp’ at the end of the domestic crop, it is said to be superior to other sources (Wheat 2016). ‘Premier Honeycrisp’ (DAS 10): This sport received Figure 1. ‘Dazzle’ apple (PreA129) [photo: FruitCraft, NZ] its US plant patent #24,833 in 2011. This sport rip- ens three weeks before ‘Honeycrisp’. Available from Adams County Nursery. ‘’ (‘Scilate’): USPP in 2008. Tag line: “Bite and believe” ‘Royal Red Honeycrisp’™ (LJ-1000): This sport was and also “When you are this good they call you Envy.” Envy has discovered in Washington State and was granted won the US Apple playoffs each year, yet many ask where can they USPP# 22,244 in November 2011. LJ-1000 is said find ‘Envy’ in the US. In searching the literature, ‘Scilate’ is not to color earlier and have higher sugar than standard the easiest apple to grow, with reports of susceptibility to Neo- ‘Honeycrisp’. ‘Royal Red Honeycrisp’™ is offered ex- nectria, with infected trees sometimes symptomless (Amponsah clusively by Willow Drive Nursery, and sales started in

6 NEW YORK STATE HORTICULTURAL SOCIETY 2013 (Lehnert 2012). This blushed sport is reported due to low vigor. Sooty blotch is an issue, as are concerns about to have better storage and tree vigor similar to ‘Hon- its susceptibility to canker (Poldervaart 2017). eycrisp’. Tree loss has been reported with ‘Royal Red ‘Pazazz’ (DS-41): USPP# 24,698P3 granted in 2014. This Honeycrisp’ on Geneva 935 rootstocks (Courtney apple can be grown by anyone obtaining a license. This apple is 2017). This issue is being investigated by researchers from ‘Honeycrisp’ open-pollinated, and was developed by Doug at Cornell and Washington State. Shefelbine in Wisconsin. ‘Pazazz’ is being grown in Minnesota, ‘’ (‘Scifresh’): Although not being grown in New York, Wisconsin, New York, Washington State and in Nova Scotia, ‘Jazz’ is an interesting example of a dual hemisphere production Canada. Fruit size is large and fruits have a pale striped over- plan. From literature reviews, ‘Scifresh’ is known to be suscep- color. There have been some reports of fire blight susceptibility tible to scab, powdery mildew and very susceptible to canker and scald. Tree losses have been reported for trees of ‘Pazazz’ on (Neonectria). Geneva 935 rootstocks (Courtney 2017). This tree loss is being ‘Juici’: A hybrid of ‘Honeycrisp’ x ‘Braeburn’. Oneonta Starr investigated by researchers at Cornell University and Washington ranch growers of Wenatchee, WA has the North American rights State. More information on the apple and growers is at www. for growing, packing and marketing ‘Juici’ (Wheat 2016, 2017). pazazzapple.com A very dense apple (18–20 lbs pressure), with a good balance of ‘Rave’ (MN 55): USPP 26,412 (Feb, 2016). ‘Honeycrisp’ x sweet and tart, and good crunchiness and juiciness. The goal in AA44, an unnamed breeding selection from Arkansas. MN 55 Washington is to have production of 500,000 boxes by 2022. matures about a month before ‘Honeycrisp’, which in Washington ‘Koru’® (‘Plumac’): US Plant Patent #23,418 granted in 2013. State will mean the end of July. The harvest time in Minnesota Although found as a chance seedling in New Zealand in 1998, will be in August. MN55, marketed as ‘Rave’, is exclusive to genetic testing revealed that ‘Fuji’ and ‘Braeburn’ are the par- Stemilt, with the assumption that it will be grown primarily in ents. ‘Plumac’ is being managed in North America by Oneonta Stemilt-owned orchards (Mertz 2017). Minnesota growers also and Borton Fruit in Yakima and NY Apple Sales in Glenmont, can grow MN 55, but it must be marketed under the name ‘First NY, and it is grown by several growers in NY State. Fire blight Kiss’. The patent suggests that pre-harvest drop may be an issue susceptibility in the nursery (noted in the patent), and perhaps with MN 55. the field, may be a concern. ‘Plumac’ has a weeping tree form, ‘Red Romance’™ (Stark®): This hybrid of ‘Honeycrisp’ x consistently large fruit size, and is very sweet (close to 18°Brix) ‘Buckeye Gala’ was bred in by the Elliots (2002). This and crisp. apple ripens in mid-October and is described as reminiscent of ‘’: A chance seedling discovered in Washington ‘Honeycrisp’. Trees were first available in 2018. The extent of State in 1978, this apple stores well and is marketed in March– testing of this variety prior to release is not clear. May due to its quality after storage. Fruits are bicolor, attractive Red fleshed apples:Van Nocker and Gotschalk (2017) pro- and have a slightly yellowish/creamy flesh color. A bulk display vide an excellent review of some of the red fleshed apples. at a local store in Geneva, NY in April had fruits with some len- ‘Riverbelle’™: A seedling of ‘Honeycrisp’ open-pollinated, ticel rots and skin shrivel, but this might have been an isolated developed by Doug Shefelbine in Wisconsin. ‘Riverbelle’ is well incidence. Two-pound bags of organic ‘Lady Alice’ purchased at suited to being grown in the upper midwest and could be region- Geneva on April 20 had clipped stems on fruits that were slightly ally significant, according to its commercial developer, the Apple greasy, but the quality and flavor (very sweet, balanced with acid) Varietal Development LLC. (Lehnert 2013) were good, especially for late April. www.rainierfruit.com/lady- ‘Rockit’ (PremA96): USPP # 24,946P3, granted in 2014. “Na- alice/ ture’s little treat”. A ‘Gala’ x ‘Splendour’ hybrid out of NZ that was ‘Ludacrisp’ (MAIA-L): This apple with a name that is either launched in 2010. Innovative packaging, similar to a tennis ball loved or hated, is from the Midwestern apple Improvement group, package, with either 3 or 6 washed apples, each about 1.5 times MAIA. ‘Ludacrisp’ is an open-pollinated ‘Honeycrisp’ offspring the size of a golf ball. ‘Rockit’ is also available as juice and puree. that ripens a week before ‘EverCrisp’. The flavor is described as Chelan Fresh and Borton Fruit are currently the growers in the similar to “Juicy Fruit” gum. Further information is available at US. Seventy-seven containers were shipped last year. Consumers the MAIA website and in their newsletters. tend to react both positively and negatively to the plastic tube ‘Modì’ (Civg198): USPP 18,730. A scab-resistant apple packaging, with some finding them difficult to open and others developed as a hybrid of ‘’ x ‘Gala’ in the south Tyrol and feeling they are wasteful, despite being recyclable. ‘Rockit’ is now named after the artist. ‘Modi’ is said to have perfect balance of offering 3 pounds of apples in a plastic tub, which seems to have sugar and acid. Fruits are red on a yellow background. Research good market acceptance. Some studies on consumer reaction from an organic apple planting at Cornell, found that ‘Modi’ is to small apples, summarized in the European Fruit Magazine, resistant to cedar apple rust but prone to russet (Agnello et al. suggests that the market for small fruits may be a niche market 2015, 2017). ‘Modi’ is also said to be scald-susceptible. ‘Modi’ (with only 9% of consumers preferring small apples), but time needs good pollination to prevent misshapen fruits. ‘Evereste’ (and sales) will tell. www.rockitapple.com. and ‘Goldrush’ have been used as pollinators in some plantings. ‘Rosalee’ (MAIA 11): A ‘Honeycrisp’ x ‘Fuji’ hybrid that ma- ‘Modi’ is being grown in Australia and has been introduced to tures in late September. Harvested about one week after ‘Golden the . Delicious’. Long harvest window and storage life. Tends towards ‘Natyra’ (SQ159, also branded as ‘MagicStar’® in Belgium): biennial bearing, so it should be thinned similar to ‘Golden The name ‘Natrya’ is only used for SQ159 apples grown in organic Delicious’. Fire blight susceptibility of ‘Rosalee’ is worse than production. This scab-resistant apple from Plant Research Inter- its parents. The presence of micro-cracks had MAIA members national in Wageningen, the Netherlands, is a hybrid of ‘Elise’ x suggesting there might be benefits of using a Provide spray re- a scab-resistant selection. SQ159 is said to be difficult to grow, gime, to prevent/minimize summer and storage rots subsequent

FRUIT QUARTERLY . VOLUME 26 . NUMBER 2 . SUMMER 2018 7 to cracking. This information was obtained from the Autumn at http://license.umn.edu/technologies/z03140_snowsweet- 2016 edition of The Ortet newsletter. apple-cold-hardy-with-sweet-tart-taste. ‘Ruby Darling’ (Stark®): ‘Ruby Darling’ is a ‘Honeycrisp’ x ‘Summerset®’ (MAIA 12): An apple ripening in late August/ ‘Buckeye Gala’ hybrid with 3 to 4”, cherry red, aromatic apples. early September. Growers are suggested to consider whether this Fruits are described as having a sweet, refreshing finish. This fits within their marketing plans. Information is from the MAIA apple also is said to not readily brown and appears to grow well newsletter, The Ortet 2017. as far south as Zone 7 (Mertz 2017). The extent of testing prior ‘Sunrise Magic’ (WA 2): Available only to Washington State to the release of this apple is not known. growers, this ‘Splendor’ x ‘Gala’ hybrid is described as having a ‘RubyFrost’® (NY 2): Developed by Cornell University, this refreshing, light flavor and crisp texture. http://www.sunrise - variety is exclusive to New York growers who joined Crunchtime apple.com/ Apple Growers (http://www.crunchtimeapplegrowers.com/). ‘SweetCheeks’®: This apple is exclusive to Hess brothers This group was previously named New York Apple Growers in Pennsylvania. This (NYAG). ‘RubyFrost’ is gaining a loyal following. In 2017, drought hybrid of ‘Honeycrisp’ and very high tem- x ‘Cripps Pink’ is crisp, peratures for a month juicy, and sweet, as its prior to harvest result- name suggests (Figure ed in some sunburn 3). and water core (Sazo ‘Sweetie’ (Pre- and Chang 2017). Dr. mA280): PremA280 Chris Watkins, post- is distributed by First harvest at Cornell, is Fruits Marketing and researching the best grown by Broetjes Or- storage regime for NY chard. This bicolor 2. The website (http:// hybrid of ‘Royal Gala’ rubyfrostapple.com/) x ‘Braeburn’ is a very shows where ‘Ruby- sweet apple, with very Frost’ apples are being Figure 2. ‘RubyFrost’® web promotion. little acidity. Some grown and sold. New on-line reviews com- marketing, including brochures featuring RubyFrost — “Get mented on a lack of caught red-handed” — are found on the web-site (Figure 2). apple flavor, while oth- Figure 3. ‘SweetCheeks’® promotion. ‘Scarlet Crush’™ (Stark®): This new ‘Honeycrisp’ x ‘Cripps ers were enthusiastic Pink’ hybrid is said to ripen in late September and to be sweet about the quality. with citrus notes, plus good crispness and juiciness. The red fruit ‘Sweet Zinger’ (MAIA-Z): A hybrid of ‘Goldrush’ x ‘Sweet is reported to be uniform, conical and attractive and suitable for Sixteen’. Fruits are sweet and tart. The apples are red and at times cooking and fresh-eating. The tree is reported to be more vigor- burnt-orange in color on a yellow background. MAIA-Z has a ous than ‘Honeycrisp’ with an upright, spreading growth habit. short harvest and storage window. (Herrick 2017a). This apple was developed by private breeders from Winchester, ‘Yello’®: ‘Yello’, the color of taste”. A yellow-fruited cultivar, Illinois in 2000. The extent of testing prior to commercialization as its name suggests, yet not prone to surface russeting. This is not known. 1983 cross of ‘’ x ‘Senshu’ was made at the ‘Smitten’™ (PremA17): USPP 22,356, granted in 2011. The Nagano Experiment Station in Japan, and the apple is called marketing tag line is “Once bitten, forever smitten” and it is also ‘Shinano Gold’ in Japan. Released in 1999. Fruits may get stem described as “wild apple”. This Prevar variety from New Zealand end cracks, similar to its ‘Senshu’ parent. Trees are moderately has a pedigree of a ‘Falstaff’ x ‘’ sibling and ‘Braeburn’ x resistant to Alternaria blotch and mildew, but susceptible to scab ‘Royal Gala’ and was released in 1995. North American rights (Abe 2010). In 2015, 10 metric tons of ‘Yello’ were sold in Europe were granted to Pegasus. PremA17 is being grown in NY and as a test case. ‘Yello’ will be grown in Italy, where it is purposely Michigan (Mertz 2017b). According to the patent, fruit ripen two being differentiated from ‘Golden Delicious’, since it is yellow, not weeks before ‘Tenroy Gala’, store about 70 days, have excellent golden. Harvest is in the middle of October. The color is pale flavor and texture, and weak aroma. www.smittenapple.com. green becoming yellow and has excellent storage for 4 months ‘SnapDragon’® (NY 1): Bred at Cornell University, and ex- in cold storage. ‘Yello’ has a good balanced taste. clusive to members of Crunchtime, previously New York Apple http://www.yello-apple.com/en/yello. Growers (NYAG), NY 1 continues to generate strong demand and consumer excitement. Thehttp://snapdragonapple.com/ website References provides information on the variety, its growers and sales outlets Abe, K., Iwanami, H., Kotoda, N., and Moriya, S. 2010. Evaluation and new promotional material featuring “The Snap is Back”. of apple genotypes and species for resistance to Alter- ‘SnowSweet’ (‘Wildung’ MN): USPP#19,946. “Savor the naria blotch caused by Alternaria alternata apple pathotype sweet” is the marketing tag-line. This hybrid of ‘Connell Red’ using detached-leaf method. Plant Breed. 129(2): 208–218. x ‘Sharon’ is hardy (Zone 4a). Its white flesh has reduced flesh Agnello, A., Cox, K., Lordan, J., Francescatto, P., and Robinson, browning after cutting. ‘Wildung’ has an interesting licensing T. 2017. Comparative programs for arthropod, disease and plan, with separate nursery and fruit growing licenses. License weed management in New York organic apples. Insects forms and the terms of the agreement for ‘Wildung’ are available 8(3): 96. 8 NEW YORK STATE HORTICULTURAL SOCIETY Agnello, A., Cox, K., Dominguez, L., Francescatto, P., Sanahuja, lenges. Eur. Fruit Mag. 10: 10–12. J. L., and Robinson, T. 2015. An insect, disease and weed Sazo, M. M. and Cheng, L. 2017. Stress-induced watercore in management program for New York organic apples. NY NY 2 fruit: Causes and Mitigaton. NY Fruit Q. 25(1): 29–34. Fruit Q. 23(4): 29–34. Van Hooijdonk, B. M., Tustin, D. S., Oliver, M. J., Breen, K. C., and Amponsah, N. T., Walter, M., Beresford, R. M., and Scheper, Dayatilake, G. A. 2014. Modification of canopy architecture R.W.A. 2015. Seasonal wound presence and susceptibility imposed by artificial spur extinction promotes reliable crop- to Neonectria ditissima infection in New Zealand apple trees. ping behaviour and enhances fruit quality of ‘Scilate’ apple N.Z. Plant Prot. 68: 250–256. trees. Acta Hort. 1058: 63–70. Breen, K. C., Palmer, J. W., Seymour, S. M., and Diack, R. N. Van Nocker, S. and Gotschalk, C. 2017. Red-juiced apple culti- 2008. GA4+7 application to reduce fruit russet on ‘Scilate’. vars for Great Lakes Production. NY Fruit Q. 25 (4): 21–24. Online at: https://www.google.com/url?sa=t&rct=j&q=&e Warner, G. 2015. Apple varieties from A to Z. Sink your teeth src=s&source=web&cd=2&cad=rja&uact=8&ved=0ahUK into this alphabet of apples, including a few new ones. Good EwiZycOandjaAhVxdt8KHZn7BWgQFggtMAE&url=https Fruit Grow. Jun 8, 2015. %3A%2F%2Ftandgtech.global%2Fassets%2FFiles%2F2008- Wheat, D. 2017a. ‘Juici’ apples show big potential, company says. GA4%2B7-Application-to-Reduce-Fruit-Russet-on-ENVY. Capital Press. Dec 29, 2016. pdf&usg=AOvVaw2eItp_d Wheat, D. 2017b. Growers pin big hopes on ‘Cosmic Crisp’. Brown, S. K. and Maloney, K. E. 2013. An update on apple cul- Capital Press. Jun 15, 2017. tivars, brands and club-marketing. NY Fruit Q. 21(1): 3–10. Xu, K. 2013. An overview of Arctic apples: Basic facts and char- Brown, S. K. and Maloney, K. E. 2009. Making sense of new acteristics. NY Fruit Q. 21: 8–10. apple varieties, trademarks and clubs: current status. NY Fruit Q. 17(3): 9–12. Susan Brown is the Herman M. Cohn Professor of Courtney, R. 2017. Problematic pairings with Geneva 935. Good Agriculture and Life Sciences. She leads the apple- Fruit Grow. Jan 3, 2017. breeding program at Cornell University. Kevin Maloney is Everett, K., Pushparajah, I., Fisher, B., and Wood, P. 2017. A a Research Support Specialist who works with Dr. Brown. simple method for conidial production and establishing latent infections of apples by Phlyctema vagabunda (syn: Neofabraea alba). NZ Plant Prot. 70: 106–111. https://doi. org/https://doi.org/10.30843/ nzpp.2017.70.35 Guerra, W. 2017. The hunt for new future apple varieties. Eur. Fruit Grow. 5: 6–13. Harvest Math 101 Herrick, C. 2017. Two MAIA releases available for growers, hobbyists. Grow. Produce Mar RUINED FRUIT 25, 2017. Herrick, C. 2017. 21st Century FLAVOR AND breeding. The Midwest Ap- LOST TONNAGE ple Improvement Association builds on its ‘Evercrisp’ success with four new varieties, matur- ing consumer preference with LOST PROFITS grower-friendly traits. Am. Fruit Grow. Dec. 2017, pp. 6–8. Protect blueberries, grapes, cherries, Johnson, J. and Courtney, R. 2017. Daunting decisions when mak- ing the variety switch. Good raspberries, blackberries and other crops 24/7 Fruit Grow. Jun 27, 2017. ® Mertz, L. 2017a. Beyond Cosmic with AviGard Bird Netting from Plantra! Crisp; Latest varieties offer tantalizing traits. Lots of new Professional Grower Supplies for Vineyards, Orchards, Nurseries and Wildlife Habitat apples coming to market. Good • • • • Fruit Grow. Jun 26, 2017. Grow Tubes Bark Protectors Weed Mats Fertilizer Packets Deer Repellent Mertz, L. 2017b. Thinking of chang- ing varieties? Good Fruit Grow. www.plantra.com Jun 14, 2017. Poldervaart, G. 2017. A super apple 800-951-3806651-686-6688 that poses cultivation chal- ©2017©2014 Plantra, Plantra, Inc.Inc.

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10 NEW YORK STATE HORTICULTURAL SOCIETY Studies on Pollination and Fungicide Use During Orchard Bloom Julianna Wilson Michigan State University, East Lansing, Michigan

Keywords: pollination, pollen, bees, fungicides, orchard bloom

ver the past three years, my lab has been interested in the intersection of pollination and orchard disease management. In particular, our focus has been on honey O bee exposure and behavior related While the general toxicity of fungicides “ to fungicide use in on adult bees is considered to be low, orchards during especially in comparison to insecticides, bloom. We know a number of current laboratory-based that orchards studies are finding sub-lethal effects in the Great that may impact the colony as a whole. Lakes region are vulnerable to key [We] set out to quantify field-level diseases in early exposures of fungicides in honey bees spring like apple hired for orchard pollination.” scab (Sutton et al. 2014) and cherry leaf spot (Ogawa et al. 1995). Fungicides are important tools used to protect them from these diseases. We also know that honey bees are important pollinators of orchards, but their use in agriculture Figure 1. Pollen trap in use (left) and a pollen trap drawer full of bee- has been implicated as part of the bee health crisis (Pettis et al. collected pollen (right) that was used to determine the kinds 2010). How do we protect pollinators while protecting the crop of pollen honey bees collected during spring orchard bloom in Michigan (Photo: Jacquelyn Albert, Michigan State University). from diseases that, if left unchecked, can ruin a crop and shorten the lifespan and productivity of an orchard? While the general toxicity of fungicides on adult bees is captan, and quantified residues in honey bee workers, in pollen considered to be low, especially in comparison to insecticides, they collect and store, and in nurse bees, larvae, and wax. This a number of current laboratory-based studies are finding sub- work will be submitted for publication in a peer-reviewed journal lethal effects that may impact the colony as a whole. Some later this year; however, I thought it would be important to share fungicides may be interfering with gut microbes important for some of this work in advance and to put it into practical terms processing and digesting pollen, which is the primary source of for orchardists. protein bees need to develop from larvae into adults (Yoder et As part of this work, we identified the different kinds of al. 2012, Degrandi-Hoffman et al. 2015). Some fungicides also pollens that the bees were collecting to get a better sense about apparently interfere with the immune system, making them more what plants they visit in addition to the orchards in bloom (Figure susceptible to disease (Pettis et al. 2013, Degrandi-Hoffman et 1). We know that most animals benefit from a diverse diet, and al. 2015, Sanchez-Bayo et al. 2016). Some fungicides appear to honey bees are no different in this regard (Pasquale et al. 2013). impair learning and memory and can impact foraging and other It is well known that individual honey bees will stick with one behaviors (Decourtye et al. 2005, Tremolada et al. 2010). Some particular pollen or nectar source until that source is depleted fungicides apparently affect honey bees at the cellular level, in- – this is called floral constancy. However, at the colony level, terfering with important cellular functions such as respiration, there are always segments of the worker population focused on thermoregulation, and detoxification (Vandame and Belzunces different plant species, so that the pollen collected for the colony 1998, Gregorc et al. 2012, Glavan and Bozic 2013, Campbell et al. as a whole is fairly diverse. 2016). All of these can have impacts on the health and vigor of What does this mean for orchard pollination? First, honey honey bee colonies. From the perspective of orchard pollination, bees that are actively foraging in the crop, will continue to do so weak colonies provide poor pollination services. until the crop is finished blooming. Second, colonies with access Given these factors, my masters student, Jacquelyn Albert to a diverse diet are going to be healthier and therefore better and I set out to quantify field-level exposures of fungicides in pollinators than bees from colonies with less diverse diets. Good honey bees hired for orchard pollination. We screened for nutrition in general means honey bees are better able to cope common bloom-time pesticides including chlorothalonil and with diseases and parasites, and ostensibly they are better able to

FRUIT QUARTERLY . VOLUME 26 . NUMBER 2 . SUMMER 2018 11 Figure 2. Pollen collected by two honey bee hives in the service of tart cherry pollination in northwest Michigan in 2017. Pollen samples were removed using pollen traps set up over 48 hours during each Figure 3. The average number of honey bees observed (± SEM) during of three sampling periods. Sampling periods relate to tart cherry 2-minute observation periods in a blooming ‘Jonamac’ block, bloom. Pollen was identified to the genus level using molecular 24 hours after treatments were applied to evaluate effects of techniques. fungicides on honey bee foraging in apple (ANOVA: F = 0.138, P = 0.934). metabolize contaminants like pesticides or other environmental toxins. tool for keeping pollinators out of a treated area (Solomon and What can growers do? Growers can do more to avoid or Hooker 1989). Most of these studies were conducted on materials reduce potential contamination of these alternate pollen sources. that are no longer registered for use in orchards or have limited In particular, our work suggests that common orchard floor weeds application in orchards today. like dandelions and wild mustards are important pollen sources To get a sense of whether several fungicides commonly for honey bees in early spring – even before crop bloom (Figure used against during bloom interfere with honey bee 2). Considering that most orchard operations have multiple foraging in apple, we ran an experiment in the spring of 2016 at cultivars and often a variety of different pome and stone fruits in the Michigan State University (MSU) Trevor Nichols Research adjacent blocks, there will always be orchards at different bloom Center near Fennville, Michigan, in a block of ‘Jonamac’ apples stages within the flight range of honey bee colonies. just heading into peak bloom. Plots of three 10-tree rows were Honey bees do not just stick to the orchards in bloom. They treated with either captan (Captan 80W, 5 lbs/acre), mancozeb will take advantage of a wide range of blooming plants. Therefore, (Manzate Pro Stik, 6 lbs/acre), fluxapyroxad+pyraclostrobin it is important to mow off flowers in the orchard floor before- ap (Merivon, 5.5 oz/acre), or plain water, and replicated three times plying pesticides, regardless of the bloom stage of the orchard. It in a Latin Square design. Commercial honey bee hives were on is also important to calibrate sprayers so that they are applying site providing pollination services within range of the experiment. pesticide where it is intended to go – if the ground is not the Twenty-four hours later, under conditions favorable to honey bee target, then nozzles aimed at the ground should be disengaged foraging, honey bees visiting the middle rows of each plot were before making an application. counted for two minutes to determine whether there was any We also found that a large part of the pollens collected by attraction or repellency occurring with respect to the treatments. bees from hives next to orchards were from a wide variety of We did not see either a repellency or an attraction effect with trees, including wild and cultivated stone and pome fruit, wil- any of the three fungicides tested against water (Figure 3). From lows, maples, and oaks (Figure 2). Even if a particular farm does a pollination perspective, this is good news, because it means not contract with a beekeeper for pollination services, it is clear that none of these materials are apparently deterring honey bees that orchards and their surroundings are a valuable and attractive from visiting the crop. On the flip side, it means that honey bees pollen and nectar source for bees within their flight range. In are likely to be picking up fungicide residues in pollen at least 24 other words, orchards, woodlands and hedgerows are important hours after they are applied in apple or from other flowers that sources of pollen for honey bees in the spring. Avoiding drift onto may become contaminated with these materials such as in the adjacent habitat by calibrating sprayers to minimize overspray scenarios already described above. and by applying pesticides under low wind conditions will help This work provides just a snapshot of what honey bees are reduce contamination of pollen in adjacent non-crop trees. experiencing during spring orchard bloom, and does not take into In what other ways might fungicides interfere with pollina- account what happens later in the season when hives are moved tion? Work done by others has shown that some fungicides will to other locations, either for honey production or for other pol- stall pollen tube growth in orchard flowers. This is problematic, lination contracts. More work is needed to determine how honey particularly during cool spring weather, when germ tube growth bees interact with their environment in and out of agricultural is already going to be slow due to ambient temperature. On settings and what effect this may be having on their long-term the other hand, some fungicides may affect the behavior of the sustainability as a managed pollinator. In the meantime, orchard- pollinators themselves and how they interact with the crop. In ists can take an active part in minimizing harm to honey bees some cases, fungicides are apparently attractive – bringing more and other pollinators through orchard floor management (i.e., pollinators to the treated source (Liao et al. 2017). In other cases, removing flowers in orchard floors before spraying) and careful some fungicides are repellent and have been studied as a potential sprayer calibration. A step further would be to actively preserve 12 NEW YORK STATE HORTICULTURAL SOCIETY flowering trees and shrubs in woodlands and hedgerows, and to R., and VanEngelsdorp, D. 2013. Crop pollination exposes otherwise cultivate non-crop flowers outside of orchards, includ- honey bees to pesticides which alters their susceptibility to ing unsprayed cover crops in fallow areas. the gut pathogen Nosema ceranae. PLoS One 8 (7). For more tips on minimizing harm to pollinators in fruit Sanchez-Bayo, F., Goulson, D., Pennacchio, F., Nazzi, F., Goka, K., crops, check out the MSU Extension Bulletin E3245, “Mini- and Desneux, N. 2016. Are bee diseases linked to pesticides? mizing Pesticide Risk to Bees in Fruit Crops” available as a - A brief review. Environ. Int. 89–90: 7–11. free downloadable PDF at: http://msue.anr.msu.edu/uploads/ Sutton, T. B., Aldwinckle, H. S., Agnello, A. M., and Walgenbach, resources/pdfs/Minimizing_Pesticide_Risk_to_Bees_in_Fruit_ J. F., eds. 2014. Compendium of Apple and Pear Diseases Crops_%28E3245%29.pdf and Pests, Second ed., 224 pp. Tremolada, P., Mazzoleni, M., Saliu, F., Colombo, M., and Vighi, Acknowledgements M. 2010. Field trial for evaluating the effects on honeybees This work was part of the Masters thesis research of Jacquelyn of corn sown using Cruiser and Celest xl treated seeds. Bull. Albert in the Department of Entomology at Michigan State Environ. Contam. Toxicol. 85(3): 229–234. University; J. K. Wilson was her professor. The majority of Vandame, R., and Belzunces, L. P. 1998. Joint actions of deltame- funding for this work came from a USDA NIFA Grant Award no. thrin and azole fungicides on honey bee thermoregulation. 2015-67028-23510, as well as the Michigan Cherry Committee Neurosci. Lett. 251: 57–60. and the Michigan Apple Committee. This work would not have Yoder, J. A., Heydinger, D. J., Hedges, B. Z., Sammataro, D., Finley, been possible without the cooperation of Cherry Bay Orchards J., DeGrandi-Hoffman, G., Croxall, T. J., and Christensen, B. and Sleeping Bear Apiaries. Deb Iwanowicz, R. S. Cornman, and S. 2012. Fungicides reduce symbiotic fungi in bee bread and Clint Otto at the United States Geological Survey helped with the beneficial fungi in colonies. Honey Bee Colony Health: the pollen identification. We thank John Wise and the staff at the Challenges and Sustainable Solutions, pg. 193–214. Trevor Nichols Research Center for assisting with the attraction/ repellency piece. George Sundin contributed to the selection of Julianna Wilson is a member of the Department of fungicides. Meghan Milbrath helped with the initial protocols for Entomology at Michigan State University. As the Tree Fruit the in-hive work. Nikki Rothwell identified our willing coopera- Integrator/Outreach Specialist, she develops sustainable tor. Hannah Rice was our field technician in 2017. solutions for producing tree fruit in Michigan.

References Campbell, J. B., Nath, R., Gadau, J., Fox, T., DeGrandi-Hoffman, G., and Harrison, J. F. 2016. The fungicide Pristine® inhibits mitochondrial function in vitro but not flight metabolic rates in honey bees. J. Insect Physiol. 86: 11–16. Decourtye, A., Devillers, J., Genecque, E., Le Menach, K., Budz- The Best Berry Plants Since 1932 inski, H., Cluzeau, S., and Pham-Delegue, M. H. 2005. Comparative sublethal toxicity of nine pesticides on olfac- tory learning performances of the honeybee Apis mellifera. Strawberry Archives Environ. Contam. Toxicol. 48: 242–250. Brambles Degrandi-Hoffman, G., Chen, Y., Watkins Dejong, E., Chambers, M. L., and Hidalgo, G. 2015. Effects of oral exposure to Asparagus fungicides on honey bee nutrition and virus levels. J. Econ. Blueberry Entomol. 108(6): 2518–2528. Currant Glavan, G. and Bozic, J. 2013. The synergy of xenobiotics in Gooseberry honey bee Apis mellifera: mechanisms and effects. Acta Elderberry Biol. Slov. 56(1): 11–27. Rhubarb Gregorc, A., Evans, J. D., Scharf, M., and Ellis, J. D. 2012. Gene expression in honey bee (Apis mellifera) larvae exposed to pesticides and Varroa mites (Varroa destructor). J. Insect The Leading Physiol. 58(8): 1042–1049. Small Fruit Nursery Today! Liao, L. H., Wu, W. Y., and Berenbaum, M. R. 2017. Behavioral responses of honey bees (Apis mellifera) to natural and syn- • Excellent Customer Service thetic xenobiotics in food. Sci. Reports 7(1): 15924. • Wide Variety Selection Ogawa, J. M., Zehr, E. I., and Bird, G. W., eds. 1995. Compendium • Technical Support of Stone Fruit Diseases, 98 pp. • Complete Lab Facility for Pasquale, G. D., Salignon, M., Conte, Y. L., Belzunces, L. P., De- Tissue Culture & Virus Indexing courtye, A., Kretzchmar, A., Suchail, S., Brunet, J. L., and Alaux, C. 2013. Influence of pollen nutrition on honey bee 41 River Road South Deerfield MA 01373 health: Do pollen quality and diversity matter? PLoS ONE 413.665.2658 8 (8). noursefarms.com [email protected] Pettis, J. S., Lichtenberg, E. M., Andree, M., Stitzinger, J., Rose,

FRUIT QUARTERLY . VOLUME 26 . NUMBER 2 . SUMMER 2018 13 O R K Y S T A W T E E N The NYSHS now has a Facebook page.

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14 NEW YORK STATE HORTICULTURAL SOCIETY Bacterial Strain Affects Cultivar Response to Fire Blight in Apples Awais Khan, Elsa Desnoues, and Mason Clark Plant Pathology and Plant-Microbe Biology Section, Cornell University, Geneva, NY

Keywords: fire blight, cultivar, management, Erwinia amylovora, disease resistance

This research was partially supported by the New York Apple Research and Development Program

ire blight, caused by the bacterium Erwinia amylovora, of bacterial strains, leading to the identification of novel resistance is a major threat to apple and pear production in New genes from host plants. York State. Cultivated apple varieties have varying levels In this experiment, we characterized the response of three F of susceptibility apple cultivars; i.e., Gala, Golden Delicious, and , to fire to fire blight. Our preliminary results suggest blight infection using three E. amylovora strains: Ea273, E2002A, “ However, at any that the genetics of a cultivar and and E4001A, individually and in combination. Characterization one time, many of cultivars with multiple strains of fire blight bacteria highlighted its interaction with differences in E. amylovora the importance of strain and cultivar interaction to design an virulence and aggressiveness levels strains with effective strategy to improve resistance and manage losses due of bacterial strains, plus weather, can varying to fire blight. impact severity of fire blight in apple aggressiveness exist in apple Material and methods orchards.” orchards, so the Historical weather data and spatial analysis. Weather data same cultivar can was downloaded from 51 stations across NY State from NEWA have different (Network of Environment and Weather Applications) for 2014, levels of fire blight infection (Norelli et al. 1984, 1986). T he 2015, and 2016, from April to October. Weather parameters severity of a fire blight infection is the result of the interaction included: average temperature (°F), maximum temperature between resistance genes and the genetics of pathogen strains, as (°F), minimal temperature (°F), temperature range (°F), relative well as the phenological stage of host cultivars. The presence of humidity (RH), and latitude & elevation (ft) for each station. A primary inoculum and the pathogenicity levels of those bacterial multiple Co-inertia analysis (MCOA) was performed on this data strains are critical factors in infection severity. The unique using the mcoa function of the ade4 library in R software (Chessel growth characteristics of different strains of E. amylovora also and Hanafi 1996; R Core Team 2014), followed by a hierarchical affect the rate of internal movement in infected tissue in a given clustering (hclust function) to define groups of weather stations length of time. As a result, orchards in one geographical area based on their similarities. may experience more severe fire blight infection than in another, Plant Material and Bacterial Strains. Three scion cultivars; even if the same apple cultivars are present that growing season. i.e., Gala, Golden Delicious, and Empire, grafted in 5 replications/ Furthermore, environmental conditions, such as humidity and cultivar on 1/4-inch M.7 rootstocks, were used in this study. temperature, significantly influence infection severity. However, Grafted plants were grown in the greenhouse. Inoculum was if weather conditions are unfavorable for fire blight development, prepared for three E. amylovora strains: Ea273, E2002A, and susceptible cultivars could be symptomless even though bacteria E4001A, at a concentration of 10-8 in PBS, as described in Khan are present in the orchard or in the host tissue (Kellerhals et et al. (2006). Inoculum of two or three strains was mixed at a al. 2008). If one pruning cut does not remove the bacteria in ratio of 1:1 or 1:1:1, respectively, to keep the concentration of the infected tissue completely, it can move into the main stem each individual strain at 1/2 or 1/3, for a final total concentration and rootstock, potentially killing high-value trees, as well as of 1 × 108 cfu/ml for each treatment. A 1x PBS solution without becoming a new source of inoculum in the orchard. In this case, bacteria was used as a control for each cultivar. pruning infected tissue, which is costly and labor-intensive, is Inoculation and Data Collection. Each cultivar was inocu- ineffective because of the unique interaction between the strain lated with each treatment or control as described above, once the and cultivar. In high-density orchards, where fruit spurs are shoot length of most plants was above 20 cm on average (Figure kept very close to the main stem, the threat is greater if infection 1). The inoculation was performed by cutting a young leaf at is not completely removed. Therefore, a better understanding the tip of the shoot with scissors dipped in inoculum. During of cultivar × strain interactions can help improve fire blight inoculation, high humidity above 75% and temperature at 25–27 management by precise pruning of fire blight-infected tissue. °C was maintained for successful infection. The total length of Infecting apple cultivars with multiple bacteria strains can test the shoot from graft union to the tip of the shoot and length of the stability and effectiveness of their resistance to a large number necrosis (cm) was measured at 15 days post-infection (DPI). FRUIT QUARTERLY . VOLUME 26 . NUMBER 2 . SUMMER 2018 15 Percent lesion length (PLL) was calculated by dividing the necrosis length (cm) by the strains at 15 DPI (R Core Team 2014). shoot length (cm). The effects of different strains on fire Assessment of cultivar × strain and interactions between E. amylovora strains. blight response of three cultivars were Fire blight data was analyzed in R software to assess interactions between cultivars and tested using PLL as defined above. The data was fit to a linear regression model to determine the relationship between the different inoculation treatments and cultivars. An ANOVA (p < 0.001) was performed to test whether there is a significant difference in PLL at 15 DPI between inoculation treatments for each of the cultivars. To test pair- wise comparisons of the mean PLL for each treatment combination, the data was analyzed using a Tukey’s HSD test. Tukey’s test allowed for comparing PLL based on strain × strain interactions for each cultivar test.

Results and Discussion Figure 1. Method for inoculation of apple trees with the fire blight pathogen in the greenhouse. A) Sterile scissors are dipped into the bacterial inoculum to cut the youngest leaf of the shoot. Weather Data Provides Insight The bacteria then enter through the wounded mid-vein. B) Fire blight symptoms, such as for Fire Blight Risk and Management. tissue necrosis and shepherd’s hook wilting, occur after a few days in the greenhouse. C) Weather parameters divided 51 stations Bacterial ooze, an exopolysaccharide (EXP), that provides a secondary source of inoculum for the bacteria to disseminate. into six regions corresponding to their geographical location; i.e., stations from Long Island, Hudson Valley, Champlain Valley, Lake Ontario, Lake Erie, Eastern Finger Lakes, and Western Finger Lakes regions (Figure 2). Grouping of all sta- tions based on the same parameters using MCOA shows the relationship of individual stations with each other from each geographical region. A heatmap (Figure 3) of this analysis indicates that, although stations within each geographical group cluster together, they also frequently group with another station from a different geographical region. These weather parameters can be useful in predicting fire blight risk based on these groupings. For example, data of weather stations from Roches- ter and Sodus from the Lake Ontario regions show more than 50% frequency of grouping with most of the stations from the Eastern Finger Lakes stations (Figure 3). We also see frequent group- ing of weather data of the Niagara Falls station from the Lake Ontario group and stations from the Western Finger Lakes region (Figure 3). These results indi- cate that weather in some regions and orchards could be similar even though they are geographically distant. These similar patterns could favor some strains Figure 2. Summary of the spatial grouping of the 51 weather stations in apple orchards across New York of the fire blight pathogen and result in State. Groups were defined by multiple Co-inertia analysis and hierarchical clustering based similar levels of fire blight severity in on weather data for average temperature, maximal temperature, minimal temperature, range of temperature, and relative humidity (RH), and the latitude and elevation for each station. geographically isolated orchards in the These data were accessed from NEWA (Network of Environment and Weather Applications) presence of inoculum and a susceptible for 2014, 2015, and 2016 from April to October host. By better characterizing strain × 16 NEW YORK STATE HORTICULTURAL SOCIETY in response to the mixture of strains indicates different resistance mecha- nisms. In our experiment, most of the variation in shoot blight is explained by interaction of fire blight bacterial strains and cultivars. The three cultivars alone explain a small amount of the variation in shoot blight, likely due to similar mechanisms of resistance. The three bacterial strains used display different pathogenicity levels, which could be due to differences in their origins (Figure 5). An example would be if a strain found in an orchard of resistant cultivars was transferred, whether by humans, insects, or abiotic conditions, to an orchard of susceptible cultivars. Through muta- tions resulting from interacting with a resistant host, this strain may be more aggressive in an orchard with hosts lacking a specific genetic resistance mechanism for this strain. Strains alone explain more variation than cultivars or Figure 3. Regional grouping using Multiple Co-inertia Analysis (MCOA) and hierarchical clustering days post-inoculation. This indicates for 51 orchards across New York State based on weather parameters, average temperature, that there is potential to use genetic maximal temperature, minimal temperature, range of temperature, and relative humidity resistance of cultivars and pathogenic- (RH) for each station. Weather data was accessed from NEWA (Network of Environment and Weather Applications) for 2014, 2015, and 2016 from April to October. ity levels of strains to improve disease forecasting models. Infection with a mixture of strains for Empire shows that strain and cultivar × strain interactions in conjunction with weather data across New the presence of multiple strains facili- York State, we can increase the resolution of fire blight risk assessment and management tates the propagation of each, such as for orchards. For instance, if it is determined that two geographically distant regions of E2002A co-infecting with either E4001A New York share similar weather conditions favorable for a specific strain of the bacteria, or Ea273 (Figure 5). Our results show growers in those regions may adopt a common management strategy in their orchard. that different apple cultivars have vary- Examining historical records of fire blight outbreaks and collecting E. amylovora strains ing levels of genetic susceptibility to fire across these orchards to test whether they have the same strains and similar patterns of blight, and this susceptibility response fire blight outbreaks will confirm some of these speculations. is specific to particular E. amylovora Strain × Strain and Cultivar × Strain Interactions are Significant for Fire Blight strains. In addition, aggressiveness and Risk. Disease severity of the host depends primarily on the interaction of its resistance virulence of strains differ and could con- genes and aggressiveness of the corresponding pathogen strains. Our results show that tribute to the loss of a cultivar during an the three cultivars have different levels of susceptibility to fire blight, depending on the epidemic. bacterial strain or combination of strains (Figure 3). The strains E2002A, Ea273, and Understanding the interaction be- E4001A, characterized in the literature as aggressive, moderately aggressive, and less ag- tween genetics of host resistance and gressive, respectively, are used in fire blight studies because of their varying pathogenicity bacterial strains can help to optimize levels. While the data overall validate these characterizations, our data further shows application of chemicals and antibiot- that a strain’s pathogenicity is influenced by other strains present and the host response ics during high-risk periods to prevent to infection. In particular, our data show that the aggressiveness of E2002A is signifi- epidemics. Disease forecasting models cantly influenced by the other strains present and the cultivar. When Gala, Empire, and like CougarBlight (Smith 1998) and Golden Delicious are infected with E2002A separately, the results are as expected, with Maryblyt (Steiner 1989) use weather Gala having the highest PLL and Empire and Golden Delicious having lower PLL (Figure data, degree hours, precipitation, and 4). However, when E2002A is co-infected with both Ea273 and E4001A, a significant history of fire blight to identify high-risk reduction in PLL is observed in all three cultivars (Figure 4). This may suggest competi- periods and recommend use of chemi- tion of host resources between these strains. Interestingly, when E2002A is co-infected cal sprays. The CougarBlight model has with either Ea273 or E4001A, respectively, in Gala and Empire, there is little difference already been implemented in NEWA to in PLL. However, when E2002A is co-infected with E4001A in Golden Delicious, PLL identify disease risk levels and schedule reduces dramatically. This may be the result of non-specific minor resistance. The sprays, but does not include susceptibil- dynamic between strains and host can be elucidated by a better understanding of the ity levels of cultivars or their interac- genetic interactions of the strains and host response. tion with bacterial strains to forecast Depending on aggressiveness of the strain present in an orchard, a cultivar can be very risk levels. Since commercial orchards susceptible, moderately susceptible, or resistant. Difference in percent lesion length (PLL) have different cultivars and different E. FRUIT QUARTERLY . VOLUME 26 . NUMBER 2 . SUMMER 2018 17 Figure 5. Scatterplot illustrating the relationship between strain × strain interactions (Ea273, E2002A, and E4001A) at 15 days post infection (DPI) for the three cultivars (Empire, Gala and Golden Delicious). The size of the dots is proportional to 0, 25, 50, 75, and 100% le- sion length (PLL) for each treatment. Empire is illustrated in red, Gala in green, and Golden Delicious in blue. This figure was made using the package ‘ggplot2’ in R software.

and reduce recommended use of sprays to only when absolutely needed, leading to 1) effective disease management, 2) reduced applications, and 3) decreased risk for the emergence of antibiotic resistant strains.

Conclusions Fire blight disease severity depends on resistance genes and phenological stage of the host cultivar, genetics of pathogen strains present in the orchard, and environmental conditions. Figure 4. Assessment of the statistical difference in percent lesion length Genetic resistance of apple cultivars to fire blight is generally (PLL) at 15 DPI between treatments to compare strain × strain in- specific to a single strain of E. amylovora. Characterizing ag- teractions when cultivars are inoculated with E. amylovora strains separately or in combination at a total inoculation concentration gressiveness of the fire blight strains present in apple orchards in of 1x108 CFU/mL. The package ‘multcompView’ was used in R New York can help deploy appropriate management options. Our software to group treatments with insignificant differences from preliminary results suggest that the genetics of a cultivar and its a Tukey’s HSD (a=0.05) test. interaction with differences in virulence and aggressiveness levels of bacterial strains, plus weather, can impact severity of fire blight amylovora strains, identification and characterization of strains in apple orchards. This can help fine-tune fire blight management present early in the growing season is crucial for fire blight risk strategies, including existing pruning recommendations, risk as- forecasting and management. While many technologies for on- sessment models, and development of new models for accurate site assays to detect plant pathogens are available, accurate and and precise disease prediction and antibiotic recommendations, pre-symptom detection continues to be a challenge (Lau et al. avoiding unnecessary antibiotic applications. An effective and 2017). Prediction efficiency and accuracy of a disease forecast- sustainable management strategy for fire blight requires an in- ing model can be increased by including the disease resistance tegrated control strategy aimed at reducing primary inoculum level of the cultivar and the virulence level and aggressiveness through precision pruning, interfering with infection through the of the strain. Including these two components in forecasting application of , biological agents or chemicals, as well risk levels and severity can refine fire blight forecasting models as enhancing host resistance. Apple cultivars with improved fire 18 NEW YORK STATE HORTICULTURAL SOCIETY blight resistance, either to specific E. amylovora strains or wide Proc. Conf. 18 Feb. to 20 Feb. 2008, Weinsberg, Germany, resistance across strains, can reduce losses, increase orchard pp. 226-231 profitability, and limit the impact and cost of antibiotic use, for Khan, M. A., Duffy, B., Gessler, C. and Patocchi, A. 2006. QTL a positive economic effect on apple production globally. mapping of fire blight resistance in apple. Mol. Breed 17(4): 299–306. doi:10.1007/s11032-006-9000-y Acknowledgments Khan, M. A., Durel, C. E., Duffy, B., Drouet, D., Kellerhals, M., This work was funded in part by Federal Capacity Funds (FCF) Gessler, C. and Patocchi, A. 2007. Development of molecular managed by CUAES (Cornell University Agricultural Experi- markers linked to the ‘Fiesta’ linkage group 7 major QTL for ment Station) and funded by the United States Department of fire blight resistance and their application for marker-assisted Agriculture’s National Institute of Food and Agriculture (NIFA) selection. Genome 50(6): 568–577. doi:10.1139/g07-033 “Identification and Validation of Novel Genetic Loci Linked to Khan, M. A., Zhao, Y. F. and Korban, S. S. 2012. Molecular Fire Blight Resistance in Apples”. This work was also supported in mechanisms of pathogenesis and resistance to the bacte- part by the New York Apple Research and Development Program rial pathogen Erwinia amylovora, causal agent of fire blight (ARDP). Any opinions, findings, conclusions, or recommenda- disease in Rosaceae. Plant Mol. Biol. Rep. 30(2): 247–260. tions expressed in this publication are those of the authors and do doi:10.1007/s11105-011-0334-1 not necessarily reflect the view of the United States Department Khan, M. A. and Korban, S. S. 2012. Association mapping in of Agriculture (USDA). forest trees and fruit crops. J Exp. Bot. 63(11): 4045–4060. doi: 10.1093/jxb/ers105 References Laloi, G., Vergne, E., Durel, C. E., Le Cam, B. and Caffier, V. 2017. Efficiency of pyramiding of three quantitative resistance loci Aldwinckle, H. S., Gustafson, H. L. and Forsline, P. L. 1999. to apple scab. Plant Path. 66: 412–422. Evaluation of the core subset of the USDA apple germplasm Lau, H. Y. and Botella, J. R. 2017. Advanced DNA-Based Point- collection for resistance to fire blight. Acta Hortic. 489: of-Care Diagnostic Methods for Plant Diseases Detection. 269–272. doi:10.17660/ActaHortic.1999.489.46 Front. Plant Sci. 8: 2016. doi: 10.3389/fpls.2017.02016 Baumgartner, I. O., Patocchi, A., Frey, J. E., Peil, A. and Kellerhals, Malnoy, M., Viola, R., Jung, M. H., Koo, O. J., Kim, S., Kim, J. M. 2015. Breeding elite lines of apple carrying pyramided S., Velasco, R. and Kanchiswamy, C. N. 2016. DNA-free homozygous resistance genes against apple scab and resis- Genetically edited grapevine and apple protoplast using tance against powdery mildew and fire blight. Plant Mol. CRISPR/Cas9 ribonucleoproteins. Front. Plant Sci. 7: 1904. Biol. Rep. 33(5): 1573–83. doi:10.3389/fpls.2016.01904 Bortesi, L. and Fischer, R. 2015. The CRISPR/Cas9 system for Nishitani, C., Hirai, N., Komori, S., Wada, M., Okada, K., Osakabe, plant genome editing and beyond. Biotech. Adv. 33(1): K., Yamamoto, T. and Osakabe, Y. 2016. Efficient genome 41–52. doi:10.1016/j.biotechadv.2014.12.006 editing in apple using a CRISPR/Cas9 system. Sci. Rep. 6: Broggini, G. A., Wöhner, T., Fahrentrapp, J., Kost, T. D., Fla- 31481. doi:10.1038/srep314Norelli, J. L., Aldwinckle H. S. chowsky, H., Peil, A., Hanke, M. V., Richter, K., Patocchi, A. and Beer, S. V. 1984. Differential host × pathogen interac- and Gessier, C. 2014. Engineering fire blight resistance into tions among cultivars of apple and strains of Erwinia amylov- the apple cultivar “Gala” using the FB_MR5 CC-NBS-LRR ora. Phytopathology 74: 136–139. doi:10.1094/Phyto-74-136 resistance gene of Malus × robusta 5. Plant Biotech. J. 12(6): Norelli, J. L., Aldwinckle H. S. and Beer, S. V. 1986. Differential 728–733. doi:10.1111/pbi.12177 susceptibility of Malus spp. Cultivars Robusta 5, Novole, Chessel, D. and Hanafi, M. 1996. Analyses de la co-inertie de K and Ottawa 523 to Erwinia amylovora. Plant Dis. 70(11): nuages de points, Rev. Stat. Appl. 44: 35–60. 1017–1019. doi:10.1094/PD-70-1017 Emeriewen, O. F., Richter, K., Kilian, A., Zini, E., Hanke, M. V., Norelli, J. L., Jones, A. L. and Aldwinckle, H. S. 2003. Fire blight Malnoy, M. and Peil, A. 2014. Identification of a major management in the twenty-first century: using new technolo- quantitative trait locus for resistance to fire blight in the gies that enhance host resistance in apple. Plant Dis. 87: wild apple species Malus fusca. Mol. Breed 34(2): 407–419. 756–765. doi:10.1094/PDIS.2003.87.7.756 doi:10.1007/s11032-014-0043-1 Parravicini, G., Gessler, C., Denance, C., Lasserre-Zuber, P., Emeriewen, O. F., Peil, A., Richter, K., Zini, E., Hanke, M. V. and Vergne, E., Brisset, M. N., Paocchi, A., Durel, C. E. and Malnoy, M. 2017. Fire blight resistance of Malus × arnoldi- Broggini, G. A. 2011. Identification of serine/threonine ana is controlled by a quantitative trait locus located at the kinase and nucleotide-binding site–leucine-rich repeat distal end of linkage group 12. Eur. J. Plant Pathol. 148(4): (NBS-LRR) genes in the fire blight resistance quantitative 1011–1018. doi:10.1007/s10658-017-1152-6 trait locus of apple cultivar ‘Evereste’. Mol. Plant Pathol. Fahrentrapp, J., Broggini, G. A., Kellerhals, M., Peil, A., Richter, K., 12(5): 493–505. doi:10.1111/j.1364-3703.2010.00690.x Zini, E. and Gessler, C. 2013. A candidate gene for fire blight Peil, A., Flachowsky, H., Hanke, M. V., Richter, K. and Rode, resistance in Malus × robusta 5 is coding for a CC–NBS– J. 2011. Inoculation of Malus × robusta 5 progeny with LRR. Tree Genet. Genomes 9(1): 237–251. doi:10.1007/ a strain breaking resistance to fire blight reveals a minor s11295-012-0550-3 QTL on LG5. Acta Hortic. 896: 357–362. doi:10.17660/ Kellerhals, M., Patocchi, A., Duffy, B. and Frey, J. 2008. Modern ActaHortic.2011.896.49 approaches for breeding high quality apples with durable R Core Team. 2014. R: A language and environment for statistical resistance to scab, powdery mildew and fire blight. Ecofruit- computing. Vienna Austria R Found. Stat. Comput. 13th International Conference on Cultivation Technique Smits, T. H., Guerrero-Prieto, V.M., Hernández-Escarcega, G., and Phytopathological Problems in Organic Fruit-Growing: Blom, J., Goesmann, A., Rezzonico, F., Duffy and Stockwell,

FRUIT QUARTERLY . VOLUME 26 . NUMBER 2 . SUMMER 2018 19 B. 2014. Whole-genome sequencing of Erwinia amylovora strains from Mexico detects single nucleotide polymorphisms in rpsL conferring streptomycin resistance and in the avrRpt2 One Bushel Crates effector altering host interactions. Genome Announc. 2(1): e01229–13. doi: 10.1128/genomeA.01229-13 Tancos, K. A., Villani, S., Kuehne, S. and Borejsza-Wysocka, E. 2016. Prevalence of Streptomycin-Resistance Erwinia amylovora in New York Apple Orchards. Plant Dis. 100(4): 802–809. doi/10.1094/PDIS-09-15-0960-RE Wöhner, T. W., Flachowsky, H., Richter, K., Garcia-Libreros, T., Trognitz, F., Hanke, M. V. and Peil, A. 2014. QTL mapping of fire blight resistance in Malus × robusta 5 after inoculation with different strains ofErwinia amylovora. Mol. Breed. 34(1): 217–30. doi:10.1007/s11032-014-0031-5

Awais Khan is an Associate Professor of Plant Pathology at Cornell’s New York State Agricultural Experiment Station in Geneva, where his research and extension program focuses on mechanisms of disease resistance and disease manage- Well built and reliable, these boxes will ment through host resistance in fruit crops. Elsa Desnoues is a postdoctoral scientist and Mason Clark is a technician protect your produce. In bulk, $8.50 each in Dr. Khan’s Lab. Hamlin Sawmill 1873 Redman Rd. Hamlin, NY 14464 585-964-3561 [email protected] www.OneBushelCrate.com

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20 NYSFQ-Summer18-CASE.indd 1 NEW YORK STATE HORTICULTURAL5/10/2018 1:53:12 SOCIETY PM Non-Mineral Prediction of Bitter Pit in ‘Honeycrisp’ Apples Yosef Al Shoffe, Jacqueline F. Nock, Christopher B. Watkins Horticulture Section, School of Integrative Plant Science, Cornell University, Ithaca, NY

Keywords: bitter pit, Honeycrisp, storage, prediction

This research was supported by the New York Apple Research and Development Program

s every grower and storage operator knows well, ‘Hon- eycrisp’ apples are highly susceptible to bitter pit (Figure 1). The disorder is found both in the orchard as tree pit,A and after storage. The first type reduces harvest yield, but the latter type is “A practical test to help growers and especially devas- storage operators predict the risk of tating, as losses of bitter pit occurring during storage high quality fruit can occur during is being developed. This will allow storage, resulting appropriate decisions to be made about in major reduc- marketing of fruit and thereby reduce tions of pack out economic losses.” rates. The condi- tioning treatment of 7 days at 50°F, and the warmer storage temperature of 38°F that is recommended to reduce risk of soft scald, also contributes to the bitter pit prob- lem (Al Shoffe et al. 2016). Our overall goal is to develop predic- tion methods for soft scald and bitter pit susceptibility of fruit from different orchard blocks so that management decisions can Figure 1. Severity ratings for bitter pit in ‘Honeycrisp’ apples. (1= slight, 2= be made about storage protocols. Examples include: 1. Storage moderate, and 3= severe). of fruit with high bitter pit susceptibility without conditioning and at 33°F prior to early marketing; and 2. Storage of fruit with low bitter pit susceptibility with conditioning and at 38°F with as it was often too difficult to distinguish between bitter pit and confidence of minimal losses due to bitter pit during storage. magnesium toxicity. The majority of research on prediction methods for bitter pit susceptibility has been focused on mineral analyses. Typically, Materials and Methods fruit with low calcium and high magnesium, potassium and ni- In 2017, fruit were harvested from 6 commercial blocks in trogen concentrations have higher risk of bitter pit development the Hudson valley (HV) region and from 6 commercial blocks in during storage. Correlations between calcium, either alone or as western New York (WNY). Three sets of 10 trees were labeled ratios with other minerals, can be used as predictors of risk, but in each block and harvested on two occasions: the industry is not well set up for routine rapid mineral sampling 1. Three weeks before anticipated harvest. of fruit just before harvest. These methods are also costly and 2. At commercial harvest. require access to laboratories. At each harvest, fruit were washed and peel tissues from the calyx Several non-chemical methods to predict bitter pit have end of 20 fruit per replicate were taken for mineral analysis at the been investigated around the world. These include dipping or Cornell Nutrient Analysis laboratory. infiltrating fruit with magnesium solutions, use of an ethylene releasing agent such as ethephon, and a passive method where Fruit from three weeks before anticipated harvest were used fruit are kept at warm temperatures (e.g., 68°F) to allow bitter pit to induce bitter pit: 40 fruit per replicate were either kept at 68°F to develop. In this NY Apple Research and Development trial, we for up to three weeks (passive method) or treated with 2000 ppm tested these three methods in the 2016/2017 season. The results ethephon (Motivate, 21.7% ethephon) and kept at 68°F for up to were promising enough to warrant further expansion beyond three weeks (ethylene method). Bitter pit was assessed at weekly just two orchards. We chose the ethylene and passive methods intervals for both methods. At commercial harvest, fruit were for further work; magnesium treatments were not used further, stored at 38°F with and without conditioning at 50°F for 7 days. FRUIT QUARTERLY . VOLUME 26 . NUMBER 2 . SUMMER 2018 21 100 100 A Passive A 90 90 Condi?oning+ 38°F Ethylene 80 80 38 °F 70 70 60 60 50 50 40 40 Bi/er pit (%) pit Bi/er Bi/er pit (%) pit Bi/er 30 30 20 20 10 10 0 0 O1 O2 O3 O4 O5 O6 O1 O2 O3 O4 O5 O6 'WNY' 'WNY'

B 100 B 100 Passive Condi?oning+ 38°F 90 90 Ethylene 38 °F 80 80 70 70 60 60 50 50 40 40 Bi/er pit (%) pit Bi/er Bi/er pit (%) pit Bi/er 30 30 20 20 10 10 0 0 O1 O2 O3 O4 O5 O6 O1 O2 O3 O4 O5 O6 'HV' 'HV' FigureFigure 2. 2. Bitt er Bitter pit in ‘Honeycrisp’ pit in 'Honeycrisp' apples harvested apples three weeks harvested before three FigureFigure weeks 3. 3. Bitter before anticipated harvest from 6 pit Bitter in ‘Honeycrisp’ pit in apples 'Honeycrisp' harvested apples harvested at at commercial commercial harvest harvest from 6 orchards in HV and 6 orchards in anticipated HV and harvest 6 orchards from 6 orchards in in WNY WNY and (A) and kept 6 orchards at 68°F orchards with from in and 6 orchards WNY without dipping in 2000ppm ethephon and in WNY stored (A) and at 6 orchards 38°F with in HV(B) and and stored without one week conditioning at 50°F up to 4 months + 7 up to in 3 HV weeks. (B) and kept at 68°F with and without dipping in 2000ppm d at 68°F. at 38°F with and without one week conditioning at 50°F up to 4 ethephon up to 3 weeks. months + 7 d at 68°F.

Bitter pit was assessed in these fruit after 4 months of storage Summary plus 7 d at 68°F. This study shows that bitter pit can be induced in fruit har- vested three weeks before commercial harvest and that there is Results a good correlation between susceptibility predictions and actual Bitter pit incidence in the fruit harvested three weeks be- bitter pit obtained in fruit after cold storage for four months. fore commercial harvest and treated with either the ethylene or The relationships are as good as or superior to those obtained by passive methods are shown in Figure 2. Both methods induced mineral analysis of fruit before or at harvest. Such a method is a similar bitter pit levels, even though there was a wide range of powerful tool for storage operators in making management deci- disorder development across orchards in both regions. Overall, sions. This method will be tested in a larger number of orchard there was no statistical difference between treatments: an average blocks in 2018. of 8% for both treatments in the HV fruit, and 25% and 29% in There was little difference between the passive and ethylene passive and ethylene treatments for WNY fruit. Actual bitter pit methods. We have chosen the passive method for future work in fruit harvested commercially and stored for 4 months, either because it is more straightforward than the ethylene method, with or without conditioning, is shown in Figure 3. Although which requires the more laborious process of dipping fruit, and conditioned fruit had higher bitter pit than unconditioned fruit, may have label use restrictions. as has been often found before, the strong relationship between References the predicted bitter pit and actual bitter is easy to see. This relationship is clear when the data for all orchards are plotted Al Shoffe, Y., Nock, J. F., Baugher, T. A., and Watkins, C. B. 2016. (Figures 4 and 5). Honeycrisp – to condition or not condition? New York Fruit We also compared the strength of the relationships by the Q. 24 (2): 19–23. prediction methods with those based on mineral analyses before and at harvest (Table 1). Both passive and ethylene methods had Acknowledgments as good, if not higher, R2 values as those based on minerals at We thank Crist Bros Orchards, Inc. and Fowler Farms for provid- each sampling time. [The closer the R2 value is to 1.0, the more ing fruit. Funding for this research was provided by the NY Apple precise the correlation between factors.] It is interesting to note Research and Development Program. This work was also sup- that the R2 values were also higher between minerals and bitter ported by the USDA National Institute of Food and Agriculture, pit development when the minerals were sampled 3 weeks before under 1001075, Improving Quality and Reducing Losses in Spe- commercial harvest. cialty Fruit Crops through Storage Technologies (NE-1336). Any 22 NEW YORK STATE HORTICULTURAL SOCIETY Passive Ethylene WNY WNY R2= 0.48 R2= 0.61

Figure 4. Relationship between bitter pit after 4 months of storage at 38°F +7 days at 68°F, and bitter pit incidence predicted by the Passive and Ethylene methods. Figure 4. Relationship between bitter pit after 4 months of storage at 38°F +7 days at 68°F, and bitter pit incidence predicted by the Passive and Ethylene methods. Passive Ethylene R2= 0.66 R2= 0.71

Figure 5. Relationship between bitter pit after 4 months of storage at 38°F +7 days at 68°F (conditioned before storage) and bitter pit incidence predicted by the Passive and Ethylene methods. Figure 5. Relationship between bitter pit after 4 months of storage at 38°F +7 days at 68°F (conditioned opinions,before findings, storage) conclusions, and or recommendations bitter pit expressed incidence Table predicted 1. Relationship between by bitter the pit after Passive 4 and Ethylene methods. months storage at 38°F with and without one week conditioning at 50°F +7 d at 68°F and in this publication are those of the authors and do not necessarily bitter pit incidence predicted by sampling fruit and keeping them reflect the view of the National Institute of Food and Agriculture at 68°F without (passive) and with (ethylene) for up to 3 weeks, (NIFA) or the United States Department of Agriculture (USDA). and minerals from 3 weeks before the anticipated harvest and/or from commercial harvest taken from the calyx-end of the fruit.

38 °F C + 38 °F Yosef Al Shoffe is a research associate working on Sampling time Factors R2 postharvest biology projects in the Watkins labora- tory. Jacqueline Nock is a research support specialist Passive 0.48 0.66 on postharvest storage in the Watkins laboratory. Chris Ethylene 0.61 0.71 Watkins is a research and extension professor who leads Ca -0.19 -0.23 3WBH Cornell University’s program on postharvest biology of Mg/Ca 0.43 0.56 fruit and vegetables, as well as being the Director of k/Ca 0.45 0.56 Cornell Cooperative Extension, and the Herman M. Cohn (K+Mg)/Ca 0.45 0.57 Professor of Horticulture. Ca -0.17 -0.17 Mg/Ca 0.24 0.3 At commercial k/Ca 0.11 0.24 harvest (K+Mg)/Ca 0.12 0.25 (N+K+Mg)Ca 0.12 0.25

FRUIT QUARTERLY . VOLUME 26 . NUMBER 2 . SUMMER 2018 23 O R K Y S T A W T E E N

H

O Y T R E T I IC C U S O LT U R A L NYSHSNew York State Horticultural Society Check out our web page NYSHS.org

24 NEW YORK STATE HORTICULTURAL SOCIETY Breeding Apple Rootstocks to Match Cultural and Nutrient Requirements of Scion Varieties G. Fazio1,2, J. Lordan2, P. Francescatto2 , and T. L. Robinson2 1 Plant Genetic Resources Unit, USDA ARS, Geneva, NY 2 Horticulture Section, School of Integrative Plant Sciences, Cornell University, Geneva, NY

Keywords: nutrient uptake, rootstock, breeding, yield components, fruit quality

This research was partially supported by the New York Apple Research and Development Program

n the U.S., there are approximately 7,500 apple producers who varieties being released, and rootstocks are following suit with collectively grow 240 million bushels of apples on average more specialized characteristics beyond dwarfing. Bigger gains each year, on 322 thousand total acres of land. The farm- in productivity will be obtained when we are able to match the I gate revenue, or weaknesses of scion varieties to the strength of the rootstocks wholesale value, and vice versa. Optimal matching between scions and rootstocks “The scion variety portfolio available to of the U.S. apple requires empirical knowledge gained by testing multiple scions apple growers is becoming increasingly crop annually is on multiple rootstocks in multiple environments — not an easy diversified with new, high value, close to $4 billion, thing to do, but for several rootstock scion combinations, it has varieties being released and rootstocks with a predicted been accomplished. For the combinations that have not been are following suit with more specialized additional $14 explored yet, it is possible to extrapolate performance based on characteristics beyond dwarfing. billion in related similarities to tested scions and rootstocks. downstream Breeding apple rootstocks to match cultural and nutrient Bigger gains in productivity will be economic requirements of scion varieties is a relatively new endeavor in obtained when we are able to match activity each the Geneva® apple rootstock breeding program. Apple rootstock the weaknesses of scion varieties to year (U.S. Apple breeding is a long-term process that has mostly focused on yields, the strength of the rootstocks and vice Statistics). What disease resistance and efficiencies gained by tree architecture versa.” is the impact of modification like dwarfing of grafted scions (Fazio et al. 2015b). apple rootstocks In recent years, we have been able to understand more about on the bottom the interaction between scions and rootstocks and have begun line of orchard to leverage the interactions to identify scion-specific traits growers? Well, let’s think of this question another way: such as higher calcium rootstocks for calcium-deficient scions what would our orchards look like if there were no dwarfing, (Honeycrisp). The implementation of new selection traits in precocious apple rootstocks? A similar question can be asked a plant breeding program requires knowledge related to the about all other apple rootstock qualities that are not quite well complexity, heritability and reliability of the selection process for known, perhaps taken for granted, but which have significantly the new trait (Fazio and Mazzola 2004). The complexity of a trait transformed our fruit industry and ushered in wealth, security depends on the number of segregating factors and the importance and productivity. (size) of their contribution. From there, we can estimate what Some of us experienced the 30-foot apple trees and the long these traits are worth to apple growers and the industry at large. ladders that needed to be hand-carried to harvest these trees – This article will focus on three sets of traits that may be used to and some remember the injuries suffered by contemporaries match rootstocks to varieties (dwarfing, nutrition, and resistance when the ladders failed or people slipped. Most apple orchards to fire blight) and estimate the impact they may have on the planted nowadays are a testament to a transformation that industry. has occurred in the past 60 years, from seedling to dwarfing rootstocks, which initially utilized centuries-old technology Breeding to match dwarfing and precocity needs (some Malling dwarfing rootstocks have been around for The most frequently used match-making between scion centuries), culminating in the almost total adoption of dwarfing varieties and rootstocks is based on matching the inherent vigor and precocious rootstocks (94% of the 18–30 million apple of the scion to the vigor of the rootstock and the training system. trees planted each year in the U.S.). Choices of which rootstock Some growers and nurseries have accomplished this by choosing to plant were fairly simple when the availability of stocks and a set spacing for a target training system, then matching the scion varieties was limited to a few Malling and Budagovsky growth habit of the scion variety (Fuji = vigorous; Gala = normal; rootstocks and the standard Golden, Red, Gala, and Granny Honeycrisp = weak) to the vigor potential of apple rootstocks scions. The scion variety portfolio available to apple growers (rootstocks ordered from more dwarfing to semi vigorous: B.9 < is becoming increasingly diversified, with new, high-value G.41< G.214 < G.202 < G.969 < G.210 < G.890 < B.118). Beyond

FRUIT QUARTERLY . VOLUME 26 . NUMBER 2 . SUMMER 2018 25 this type of matching, there are other factors that influence scion Traditionally, nutrient deficiencies found in soils of fruit orchards vigor: soil fertility and water availability, soilborne diseases, and have been addressed with the addition of different formulations of scion genetics. Therefore, if we imagine the final tree size product fertilizers delivered by multiple means (Fallahi et al. 1984; George “T” is the size of a grafted scion (S) on a rootstock (R) in orchard et al. 2002). This was done with some knowledge of the inher- A, then the size of such tree at maturity would be represented by ent potential of a few traditional rootstocks to absorb more or the equation T = A[fertility] + A[water] + A[disease] + A[system] + S[vigor] + R[dwarfing], where A[fertility] is the fertility of orchard A soil, A[water] is the availability of water in orchard A, A[disease] is the presence of diseases that decrease the vigor of the scion, A[system] is the orchard system used, S[vigor] is the inherent vigor of the scion (e.g., a Honeycrisp scion is less vigorous than a scion), R[dwarfing] is the rootstock genetic potential for dwarfing the scion. Since the rootstock is the conduit for water and nutrients and can be susceptible or resistant to diseases, the genetic composition of such a rootstock has been shown to interact with all such variables. While the main genetic factors for dwarfing have been described and used in breeding (Pilcher et al. 2008; Fazio et al. 2014), genetic variation for other root traits within apple rootstocks will have an effect on tree size and productivity. Fortunately, the main dwarfing genetic factors can be selected in the progeny by genetic fingerprinting and combined (Figure 1) to achieve, for the most part, levels that match the needs of target scion/training system combinations. Breeding for such genetic factors to match scion types is routine in the Geneva® breeding program.

Impact of dwarfing apple rootstocks on the U.S. industry While it may seem a daunting task to quantify the economic Figure 1. Genetic factors for dwarfing and precocity on impact that dwarfing rootstocks have had on U.S. apple pro- chromosomes 5 and 11 of the apple genome can duction, it was possible using simple and blunt economic tools be combined in rootstock progeny to predict vigor available in the form of the USDA-ERS (Economic Research levels to match needs of the target scion/training Service) apple production databases to plot (Figure 2) the average system. productivity of apple orchards (metric tons/hectare) from 1982, when approximately 45% of apple trees being planted were on dwarfing rootstocks, to 2007 (the last date for which there are complete statistics on rootstocks), when approximately 92% of apple trees planted were on dwarfing rootstocks. We then made some assumptions regarding the effect of improved cultural practices, fertilizers, irrigation, pesticides, etc., and estimated conservatively that the average reported productivity increased by about 20% (from 15 ton/ha to 25 ton/ha) in that time period ­— of course, very good orchardists are pushing the limit of rootstock technologies and training systems to more than 100 ton/ha. Sticking to the conservative increased value of 20% and applying it to the farm gate value estimate of the 2007 apple crop ($2.6 billion), the increase in productivity due to dwarfing apple rootstocks was worth conservatively about $500 million dollars a year. The difference between a dwarfing and a non-dwarfing apple rootstock is caused by changes of 2–3 genes (out of approximately 35,000 predicted genes) in the genome of apple. The power of rootstock genes is illustrated in this example: 2–3 genes = more Figure 2. A conservative estimate of the impact of the adop- than $500 million extra in value to the primary fruit industry. tion of dwarfing, precocious apple rootstocks in This estimate does not take into account the cost savings in labor, the U.S. The yellow line is the estimated increase pesticides, accidents, etc., that new orchard systems based on in productivity due to improved cultural practices, dwarfing rootstocks produce each year. the blue line is the estimated increase due to the implementation of dwarfing apple rootstocks. The Breeding to match nutrient needs green line is the productivity that some growers Root systems have important roles in tree fruit production, are currently achieving in their orchards with high- in foraging for mineral nutrients and water necessary for fruit ly productive systems like the tall spindle, which development and canopy growth (Neilsen and Hampson 2014). leverages modern dwarfing apple rootstocks.

26 NEW YORK STATE HORTICULTURAL SOCIETY specific bacterial, fungal and mycorrhizal colonies sometimes enhances the reach and intensity of absorbance of macro- and micronutrients, allowing some plants to thrive in otherwise hostile environments (Heikham et al. 2012; Chu et al. 2013). All these interactions have genetic components in the rootstock, meaning that there are specific genes and associated alleles that affect the outcome of such interactions to the point that their effect can be detected in genetic experiments with segregating populations (Fazio et al. 2013). Fruit size and quality have been shown to be highly influenced by transpiration (Lordan et al. 2017), nutrient status (Jivan and Sala 2014), and subsequently by apple rootstocks (Andziak and Tomala 2004), where a good portion of the variability may be explained by the rootstock po- tential to absorb and translocate nutrients to the scion, which implies that selection of a particular rootstock may be used to match nutrient weaknesses or requirements of fruit (Fazio et al. 2015a). Recently, data obtained from a diverse set of rootstock field experiments featuring 35 or more genetically different apple rootstocks have indicated the possibility to select for particular genetically determined nutrient profiles (Reig et al. 2018). It will likely be possible in the near future to match the nutrient require- ments of the scions and the shortcomings of the soil substrate to the strengths of the rootstocks. Generating rootstock-tailored Figure 3. Results from field-grown trees of Honeycrisp nutrition recommendations that may save the application of show that boron concentration in leaves and fruit nutrients like potassium, boron, and phosphorous may save seems to be highly rootstock-dependent, as they growers and the environment a significant amount of resources. are highly consistent through time (years). New It is hard to estimate a dollar amount for these rootstock-related recommendations on the application of boron nutrient efficiencies because the science is so young – we (the should be made for newer rootstocks, considering Geneva® apple rootstock breeding program) are the first ones to that M.9 and B.9 are among the poorest boron investigate this in the world, and it will take some time for more absorbers in group. This information should precise figures and recommendations, and at the same time to also be combined with the specific scion nutrient think about what one less boron application will save you each requirements to make fertilizer use more efficient. year…

Breeding to match disease resistance needs: fire blight less of a particular nutrient contained in the rhizosphere (Chun Another example of the need to match scion weaknesses et al. 2002). However, most fertilizer recommendations were to the strengths of apple rootstocks deals with resistance to not tailored to a specific rootstock, creating the potential for fire blight. There was a time when a lot of Red and Golden making such applications less efficient (more or less than what Delicious apple trees were in the ground – two varieties that is specifically needed by the rootstock-scion combination) and tolerate infections by fire blight – and that time is gone, as very potentially wasteful. This is evident from recently developed susceptible varieties (Gala, Cripps Pink, Mutsu and similar) data that shows (Figure 3) that, in the case of boron, rootstocks have a major influence on the uptake and delivery of that nutri- ent consistently over years. The lowest boron absorbers were M.9 (clones) and B.9, which means that if growers keep using old nutrient recommendations for boron developed for the “poor” rootstocks on newer rootstocks like G.935, G.222, G.41, and similar “rich” rootstocks, they are probably wasting money and causing unnecessary nutrient imbalances in the orchard. Rootstocks are embedded in a complex environment where interactions with pH, soil particles, fungi, bacteria, insects, soil water status, scion variety, and cover crops (and their competing roots) all play into their performance as foragers of nutrients (Kang et al. 2011; Fazio et al. 2012). As an example, the scion variety’s evapotranspiration potential can have a huge effect on the nutrients passively brought up to the leaves in the xylem (Fal- lahi et al. 2013). Conversely, the roots’ ability to exude citrates in the rhizosphere can influence the pH-dependent availability of iron (Fe) and other micronutrients (M’Sehli et al. 2008; Valen- tinuzzi et al. 2015). The ability of root systems to associate with FRUIT QUARTERLY . VOLUME 26 . NUMBER 2 . SUMMER 2018 27 Figure 4. Picture before (left) and after (right) a severe fire blight infection in a trial featuring Geneva® apple rootstocks randomly dispersed in an orchard (2007 Santaquin, UT). While 40–50% of the Gala trees on M.26 and M.9 apple rootstocks died, 98% of the trees on Geneva® rootstocks survived. The orchard was later removed and the surviving Geneva® trees transplanted in a different location. Fire blight is a serious problem, as new susceptible varieties are planted on susceptible rootstocks. have replaced them. Conservative estimates Table 1. Matching a rootstock to the characteristics of a scion variety re- of average yearly losses due to this insidious quires some empirical testing where such rootstocks are trialed bacterial disease range from $5–25 million with multiple scion varieties. Some matches (weak rootstocks to in the U.S. alone, where single epidemics like vigorous scion to obtain balanced trees) are already being made in the Michigan 2000 event cost the industry the industry, but more opportunities exist where mineral nutrients, between $45M and $100M (Aćimović et al. growth type, and bearing type may be matched with rootstocks that 2015). Some readers have experienced first- improve the performance of the scion variety. Above are some ex- hand how much fire blight susceptibility costs, amples based on empirical data collected from multiple field trials. where newly planted orchards on M.9 or M.26 have been decimated by the rootstock phase of fire blight. These costs are becoming more substantial as new susceptible (but market desirable) scion varieties are planted. We have had many field trials to test resistance of Geneva® rootstocks, but one that stands out was planted in a grower orchard in UT, with Gala trees on Geneva® rootstocks randomly dispersed in an orchard of Gala on M.26 and M.9 apple rootstocks (Figure 4). Within 2 years, fire blight had ravaged 40–50% of trees on susceptible rootstocks, while virtually all the trees on resistant rootstocks were still standing. Research showed that the genetic difference between resistant apple rootstocks such as G.41 (immune to fire blight) and M.9 (or M.26) was due to 4–6 DNA regions (genes). We found that fire blight-resistant rootstocks change the gene expression pattern of the grafted scion, perhaps reducing the incidence of the disease in the orchard (Jensen et al. 2012). When deployed in a series of new fire blight-resistant apple rootstocks, these 4–6 DNA regions have fection risks, rootstocks are chosen that are tolerant or resistant demonstrated the potential to save our apple industry millions to fire blight, as we have demonstrated that, even in a severe of dollars every year. It makes sense then that, if the industry fire blight event affecting the scion, the affected material can needs to plant a particular scion variety that is very susceptible be pruned off and new scaffolds reconstituted – a much more to fire blight in a growing region that is known to have high in- desirable scenario than the death of the rootstock (and the tree). 28 NEW YORK STATE HORTICULTURAL SOCIETY Projects are under way to shed more light on apple rootstock functions related to mineral nutrient physiology and genetics. These projects leverage high-throughput genotyping and more uniform growing conditions like aeroponics that allow better detection of minor effect genes and the painting of a more defined landscape for mineral nutrient traits. How long did it take to develop the series of fire blight-resistant Geneva® apple rootstocks? Just about 40 years. We are seeing an impact in the millions of dollars to the industry as production of Geneva® rootstocks is slated to reach 15 million trees planted each year within five years. We continue to learn about the quirks that each of our released rootstocks has, and hope to increase the value of the impact that new apple rootstock technologies have in the industry.

Acknowledgements Figure 5. Another opportunity to match insect resistance We thank the New York Apple Research and Development to scions that are very susceptible to woolly apple Program for partially supporting this project. The projects aphids: resistant rootstocks like G.41 do not allow described in this manuscript were also partially funded by the overwintering of these aphids in the roots and USDA NIFA SCRI CRIS Proj. No. NYC-145543, “Accelerating the prevent the pest from taking hold in the orchard. development, evaluation, and adoption of new apple rootstock technologies to improve apple growers’ profitability and sustain- ability”. The contents of this publication do not necessarily reflect the views or policies of the US Department of Agriculture, nor Conclusions does mention of trade names, commercial products, or organiza- While we have made significant progress with dwarfing, tions imply endorsement by the US Government. fire blight and other unique traits of Geneva® rootstocks, we are still in the early stages of being able to breed apple Literature Cited rootstocks to match mineral nutrient modulation in scions. Aćimović, S. G., Zeng, Q., McGhee, G. C., Sundin, G. W., and

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FRUIT QUARTERLY . VOLUME 26 . NUMBER 2 . SUMMER 2018 29 Wise, J. C. 2015. Control of fire blight (Erwinia amylovora) Jivan, C. and Sala, F. 2014. Relationship between tree nutritional on apple trees with trunk-injected plant resistance inducers status and apple quality. Hort. Sci. 41: 1–9. and antibiotics and assessment of induction of pathogenesis- Kang, Y., Park, J., Kim, S., Kang, N., Park, K., Lee, S., Jeong, B., related protein genes. Front. Plant Sci. 6. Kang, Y. I., Park, J. M., Kim, S. H., Kang, N. J., Park, K. S., Andziak, J. and K. Tomala. 2004. Influence of rootstocks on Lee, S. Y., and Jeong, B. R. 2011. Effects of root zone pH and mineral nutrition, fruit maturity and quality of ‘’ nutrient concentration on the growth and nutrient uptake of apples. Sodininkyste ir Darzininkyste 23: 20-32. tomato seedlings. J. Plant Nutr. 34: 640–652. Chu, Q., Wang, X., Yang, Y., Chen, F., Zhang, F., Feng, G., Chu, Lordan, J., Fazio, G., Francescatto, P., and Robinson. T. 2017. Q., Wang, X. X., Yang, Y., Chen, F. J., Zhang, F. S., and Feng, Effects of apple Malus( x domestica) rootstocks on scion G. 2013. Mycorrhizal responsiveness of maize (Zea mays L.) performance and hormone concentration. Sci. Hort. 225: genotypes as related to releasing date and available P content 96–105. in soil. Mycorrhiza 23: 497–505. M’Sehli, W., Youssifi, S., Donnini, S., Dell’Orto, M., De Nisi, Chun, I., Fallahi, E., and Chun, I. J. 2002. Effect of rootstocks P., Zocchi, G., Abdelly, C., and Gharsalli, M. 2008. Root and interstem on the foliar mineral concentrations and fruit exudation and rhizosphere acidification by two lines of quality of ‘Fuji’ apple trees. J. Korean Soc. Hort. Sci. 43: Medicago ciliaris in response to lime-induced iron deficiency. 267–270. Plant Soil 312: 151–162. Fallahi, E., Arzani, K., and Fallahi, B. 2013. Long-term leaf Neilsen, G. and Hampson, C. 2014. ‘Honeycrisp’ apple leaf and mineral nutrition in ‘Pacific Gala’ apple (Malus * domestica fruit nutrient concentration is affected by rootstock during Borkh.) as affected by rootstock type and irrigation establishment. J. Am. Pomol. Soc. 68: 178–189. system during six stages of tree development. J. Hort. Sci. Pilcher, R.L.R., Celton, J. M., Gardiner, S. E., and Tustin, D. S. Biotechnol. 88: 685–692. 2008. Genetic markers linked to the dwarfing trait of apple Fallahi, E., Westwood, M. N., Richardson, D. G., and Chaplin, M. rootstock ‘Malling 9’. J. Am. Soc. Hort. Sci. 133: 100–106. H. 1984. Effects of rootstocks and K and N fertilizers on Reig, G., Lordan, J., Fazio, G., Grusak, M. A., Hoying, S., Cheng, seasonal apple fruit mineral composition in a high density L. L., Francescatto, P., and Robinson, T. 2018. Horticultural orchard. J. Plant Nutr. 7: 1179–1201. performance and elemental nutrient concentrations on ‘Fuji’ Fazio, G., Cheng, L., Grusak, M. A., and Robinson, T. L. 2015a. grafted on apple rootstocks under New York State climatic Apple rootstocks influence mineral nutrient concentration conditions. Sci. Hort. 227: 22–37. of leaves and fruit. NY Fruit Q. 25: 11–15. Valentinuzzi, F., Pii, Y., Vigani, G., Lehmann, M., Cesco, S., and Fazio, G., Kviklys, A., Grusak, M. A., and Robinson, T. L. 2013. Mimmo, T. 2015. Phosphorus and iron deficiencies induce Phenotypic diversity and QTL mapping of absorption and a metabolic reprogramming and affect the exudation traits translocation of nutrients by apple rootstocks. Aspects Appl. of the woody plant Fragaria x ananassa. J. Exp. Bot. 66: Biol. 119: 37–50. 6483–6495. Fazio, G., Kviklys, D., Grusak, M. A., and Robinson, T. L. 2012. Soil pH, soil type and replant disease affect growth and Gennaro Fazio is a plant breeder and research nutrient absorption in apple rootstocks. NY Fruit Q. 20: geneticist with the USDA-ARS Plant Genetic Resources 22–28. Unit in Geneva, NY and Adjunct Associate Professor Fazio, G. and Mazzola, M. 2004. Target traits for the development Cornell University’s School of Integrative Plant Science of marker assisted selection of apple rootstocks - prospects – Horticulture Section. The focus of his research is to and benefits. Acta Hort. 663: 823–827. develop new apple rootstocks that are more productive Fazio, G., Robinson, T. L., and Aldwinckle, H. S. 2015b. The than current commercially available varieties and are Geneva apple rootstock breeding program. Plant Breed. resistant to devastating diseases like fire blight (caused Rev. 39: 379–424. by Erwinia amylovora) and replant disease. Terence Fazio, G., Wan, Y. Z., Kviklys, D., Romero, L., Adams, R., Robinson is a research and extension professor at Strickland, D., and Robinson, T. 2014. Dw2, a New Dwarfing Cornell’s Geneva Experiment Station who leads Cornell’s Locus in Apple Rootstocks and Its Relationship to Induction program in high-density orchard systems, irrigation and of Early Bearing in Apple Scions. J. Am. Soc. Hort. Sci. 139: plant growth regulators. Jaume Lordan and Poliana 87–98. Francescatto are Postdoctoral Associates at Cornell’s George, A. P., Broadley, R. H., Nissen, R. J., and Smith, L. 2002. Geneva Experiment Station in Dr. Robinson’s program. Effects of calcium, boron and dwarfing interstock on fruit quality of custard apple (Annona spp. hybrid) cv African Pride. Acta Hort. 575: 841–849. Heikham, E., Bhoopander, G., Rupam, K., Evelin, H., Giri, B., and Kapoor, R. 2012. Contribution of Glomus intraradices inoculation to nutrient acquisition and mitigation of ionic imbalance in NaCl-stressed Trigonella foenum-graecum. Mycorrhiza 22: 203–217.Jensen, P. J., Halbrendt, N., Fazio, G., Makalowska, I., Altman, N., Praul, C., Maximova, S. N., Ngugi, H. K., Crassweller, R. M., Travis, J. W., and McNellis, T. W. 2012. Rootstock-regulated gene expression patterns associated with fire blight resistance in apple. Bmc Genom. 13.

30 NEW YORK STATE HORTICULTURAL SOCIETY 3 New York State Horticultural Society

NYSHSEDUCATING, PROMOTING and PROTECTING New York’s Commercial Fruit Industry

O R K Y S T A W T Founded in 1855, the mission of the New York E E N State Horticultural Society is to foster the H O Y T R 2 E T I growth, development and profitability of the IC C U S O LT U R A L fruit industry in New York State.

NYSHS accomplishes this by: • Supporting educational opportunities for members • Promoting the industry Figure 3. Modified sprayer and sensors in the trial orchard

• Representing the industry in matters of public policy

OBJECTIVES Education - providing education programs for members that include: • obtaining and disseminating information to the fruit industry

• sponsor and/or cooperate with other groups to provide and Figure 2. RR test site, Wayne Co., NY using Gala trees on M.9 rootstock planted May 3, 2014.

support tours • sponsor trade shows

• cooperate with and encourage others to provide educational opportunities Promoting the Fruit Industry by: • promoting ideas which will benefit the economic health of the fruit industry • educate the general public about the New York fruit industry NYSHS ISSUES Representing the New York fruit industry by: • Pesticide Registrations • Have cemented our role as legislative voice in both Albany and Washington, DC for the fruit industry • Food Quality Protection Act • representing the industry’s interest as well as other agencies and • Integrated Pest Management institutions • Agricultural Labor and Immigration • Fruit Industry Economic Development • Cornell Research and Extension • Education Public Officials • Educating Industry • Food Safety — See page 32 for membership details — FRUIT QUARTERLY . VOLUME 26 . NUMBER 2 . SUMMER 2018 31 NYSHS MEMBERSHIP INVOICE Yes! I will support the NYSHS and its mission to Educate, Promote and Protect the New York Fruit Industry. Yearly membership includes Hort Flash Newsletter, and the New York Fruit Quarterly. Dues are paid once a year, good from July 1st until June 30th. Please enclose check or cash. What the NYSHS Does for You: Growers Membship ...... $225 FRUIT INDUSTRY EDUCATION Per Each Multiple Membership after 1st ...... $100 Growers w/50 Acres or Less...... $100 Sponsor/Cosponsor of: Industry Professional ...... $225 • Annual Empire State Fruit & Vegetable Direct Academic Professional ...... $100 Marketing Expo • Industry Leadership Forums Sponsors: • Cornell Extension Events Bronze level ...... $300 • Sponsor of Labor Conferences Silver leve ...... $500 Gold level ...... $1000 Publisher of: Platinum ...... $2500 and up • The New York Fruit Quarterly • Hort Flash Newsletter ADDITIONAL SUPPORT: Presentations at: AREAS YOU’D LIKE NYSHS TO SPEND MORE EFFORT ON: • Growers’ Meetings H2A Reform ...... $100 • Discussion in Albany on All Labor Topics Speaker Programs ...... $100 Achievements: Your Thought______• Twice awarded $500,000 for Applied Apple ______$______Research TOTAL AMOUNT...... $______• Cornell Apple Labor Survey Articles in: Name______• Fruit Industry Publications Company______FRUIT INDUSTRY PROMOTION Mailing address______• Empire State Council of Agricultural Organizations City______State_____ Zip______• NYS Berry Growers Association and NYS Ag Affiliates County ______Cooperate with: Phone______Fax______• The U.S. Apple Association E-mail ______• The United Fresh Fruit and Vegetable Association • The New York Apple Association Thank You for Your Support!!! Membership dues are not deduct- FRUIT INDUSTRY PROTECTION ible for Federal Income Tax Purposes. They may be tax-deductible Seats on Advisory Boards: under other provisions of the IRS Code. Please check with your tax advisor. • Agricultural Affiliated; make certain all understand our industry’s often unique concerns and needs. Please remit to: NYSHS www.NYSHS.org 630 W. North Street To educate, promote and protect the Hedrick Hall New York State Fruit Industry. Geneva, NY 14456

Contact Us: NYSHS 630 W. North Street Hedrick Hall Geneva, NY 14456 www.NYSHS.org Ph 315-787-2404 Fx 315-787-2216 [email protected] www.NYSHS.org

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