Fruit and Vegetable News

Late bunch stem necrosis, indicated by shriveling of the stem, followed by shriveling of the berries, in that order. Photo: Annie Klodd. Author: Annie Klodd.  Late bunch stem necrosis (LBSN) is a physiological disorder of grapevines, where the grape clusters shrivel and die during ripening. It is not a disease, so fungicides are not effective on it. However, a large part of what makes this disorder so frustrating is that the causes are not well understood. In collaboration with grape growers and the UMN Grape Breeding lab, we are working to identify potential causes so that we can develop recommendations to control LBSN. Late bunch stem necrosis is a complex physiological disorder of grapevines, where the bunch stems (rachises) shrivel during ripening, followed closely by berry shrivel. This sudden change is frustrating for growers, when seemingly healthy vines produce unusable clusters. LBSN affects vineyards worldwide, but may be caused by a number of environmental stresses...

Photo: Emily Hoover The rootstock of an apple tree has a lot of impact on how an apple tree will grow and produce over its lifetime. While the scion dictates the variety of apple that the tree will produce, among other things, the rootstock influences many other factors such as the size of the tree, productivity, stress tolerance, and precocity (ability to produce fruit earlier in the tree's lifespan). Rootstocks are constantly being evaluated for performance under different environmental conditions and with different varieties. Emily Hoover recently wrote an article that breaks down differences in rootstocks, and discusses how her fruit research lab is continually working to evaluate rootstock performance in Minnesota. Click here to read the full article on the UMN Horticulture Fruit Research website.

As the season wraps up and tools and equipment are stored away for the season be sure to clean tools properly to prevent plant pathogens from surviving from one season to the next. Soil covered tools, ready to be cleaned and disinfected M. Grabowski, UMN Extension Plant pathogens have multiple strategies for survival. Many common plant pathogens survive in infected plant debris and soil. As a result, crop rotation and proper disposal of crop residue play an important role in reducing disease problems from year to year. But what about the large equipment, hand tools, wires, stakes, high tunnel plastic, clips, and other day to day objects that are used throughout the production season? Can plant pathogens survive on tools and equipment?  Some viruses like Tomato Mosaic Virus, Tobacco Mosaic Virus, and Pepper Mild Mottle Virus are very durable and can survive on the surface of tools, greenhouse plastic, pots, and other equipment that comes in contact with infected plants. Fu...

Author: Chryseis Modderman.  October means crisp autumn days, pumpkin carving, and finishing up harvest. But between cider sips and hay rides, it’s also a good time to consider soil fertility for next season’s crops! Manure is a great option for fertilizer because it supplies the major macronutrients needed for crop production (nitrogen, phosphorus, potassium), as well as micronutrients (zinc, iron, manganese, etc.). In addition, manure increases soil organic matter which leads to better soil structure and water holding capacity while giving a boost to beneficial soil microbes and earthworms.