Location: Physiology and Pathology of Tree Fruits Research
Project Number: 2094-43000-008-048-N
Project Type: Non-Funded Cooperative Agreement
Start Date: Nov 20, 2023
End Date: Nov 19, 2028
Objective:
The purpose is to create a general framework for cooperation and coordination between the United States Department of Agriculture (USDA), Agriculture Research Service (ARS) and Oregon State University Mid-Columbia Research and Extension Center (OSU-MCAREC). This Non-Funded Cooperative Agreement (NFCA) defines the general terms in which the Parties will cooperate, including sharing equipment and facility space. Individual projects may be developed between the Parties which outline specific research projects.
The Parties share an interest in the accomplishment of basic and applied horticultural research, involving but not limited to sweet cherry, pear, apple tree fruit and other specialty crops.
This will be a joint effort between ARS, which is conducting research on postharvest physiology, quality, and pathology of tree fruit, and Cooperator, which performs research and outreach for tree fruit and specialty crop horticulture and entomology.
Approach:
ARS and OSU-MCAREC are currently engaged in and have independent interests in research, education, and outreach designed to meet the changing need of tree fruit and other specialty crop growers and stakeholders by:
1. Addressing a wide range of horticultural issues facing the pear (Pyrus communis) and sweet cherry (Prunus avium) industries to optimize orchard production systems for these two crops, enhancing the efficiency, profitability, and competitiveness of fruit tree growers in the Mid-Columbia region.
2. Examining the production environment and management practices on pear and sweet cherry fruit yield and specialized metabolite synthesis.
3. Researching and developing management strategies for insect pests of economic importance to the pear, cherry, and apple growers of Oregon, the Pacific Northwest, and beyond.
4. Investigating postharvest issues of pear and sweet cherry including climatic factors influencing fruit storability, postharvest technologies, and physiology of fruit quality attributes during storage.
