The Michigan Apple Committee board approved funding for 2023 industry research projects at its March board meeting. Research funding is a part of MAC’s mission to serve Michigan’s apple growers.
“Members of the MAC Board of Directors select growers to serve on the research subcommittee,” said Diane Smith, executive director of MAC. “The subcommittee analyzes all the submitted research proposals and recommends funding to the board.”
MAC’s research priorities are set to support Michigan Apple growers and industry success. It looks for projects that improve profitability and production, develop new markets and products and identify consumer trends and facts. MAC wishes to support research that helps achieve its mission by enhancing the reputation of Michigan apples.
“MAC accepts proposals from many different research institutions and centers of excellence,” said Smith. “We are fortunate to have world-class agricultural instruction right in our backyard with Michigan State University and there is also a great deal of collaboration between institutions and colleagues.”
For 2023, the board approved $238,317 in funding for 10 projects. Research topics varied from pest management to varietal research to planting technology.
MAC Funded Research
Randolph Beaudry
- Lenticel Breakdown: Role of Field Sprays: $10,940
- Linking Field Conditions to Internal Browning of Honeycrisp: $31,092
Todd Einhorn
- Developing a Bitter Pit Mitigation Protocol Using Plant Growth Regulators: $29,640
- Increasing the Precision of Crop Load Management of Apple: $40,895
- Evaluation of Multi-Leader, High-Density Training Systems: $15,779
Courtney Hollender
- The Biological Mechanism Behind Early and Late Apple Sports: $31,703
William Shane
- Coordinated Evaluation of Apple Germplasm for the Fresh and Processing Industries: $16,895
George Sundin
- Fire Blight (Shoot Blight) and Apple Fruit Rots: Working Towards Consistent Management: $26,401
Julianna Wilson
- 2023 Apple Entomology Research: Improving Management of Plum Curculio and Soft-Bodied Pests: $20,000
John Wise
- Rainfastness of Fungicides for Disease Control in Apples: $14,972
For more information:
Diane Smith
Michigan Apple Committee
Tel: +1 (800) 456-2753
News@MichiganApples.com
www.michiganapples.com