The Horticulture/Fruit Physiology program emphasis is on improving efficiencies of temperate-zone tree fruit systems, with focus on European pear and sweet cherry.  The major program goal is to improve the competitive stance of PNW growers.  Our primary objectives are to identify biophysical and physiological factors controlling and/or limiting growth and development, and through the use of horticultural techniques, exploit these mechanisms to progress plant performance towards its genetic potential.   Whole-system research approaches are being utilized so that results can be rapidly integrated into commercial orchard operations.

Current Projects:

• Water and nutrient relations of cherry trees under deficit irrigation/fertigation
• Source-sink relationships in sweet cherry cropping systems
• Sweet cherry fruit ontogeny - defining periods of cell activity and the role of cell number and size on final fruit size
• Evaluation of training systems, rootstocks and cultivars for sweet cherry and European pear production
• Identification of cold hardy quince taxa for use as pear rootstocks
• Light relations and reflective fabric applications in mature 'd'Anjou' orchard systems