Carter is New Winter Wheat Breeder
Arron Carter, a 2009 Ph.D. graduate with an emphasis in wheat breeding and genetics, is WSU’s new winter wheat breeder. The appointment was announced yesterday at the annual WSU Spillman Agronomy Farm Field Day. Carter, who completed his doctoral degree at WSU in May, emerged as the top candidate from a pool of more than 50 scientists from around the globe. He succeeds Professor Stephen Jones in the winter wheat breeding position. Jones assumed a new role as director of WSU’s Northwestern Washington Research and Extension Center in Mount Vernon in March of this year. Carter will assume his new responsibilities beginning July 16. He has been a member of WSU’s wheat breeding and genetics program since 2006. His research has focused on developing a mapping population for a key spring wheat cross, and identifying genetic markers for important agronomic, end-use quality and pest resistance traits, specifically high-temperature adult plant resistance to stripe rust in the spring wheat cultivar Louise. Working with WSU spring wheat breeder and associate dean Kim Kidwell, he also has played a major role in the development of new spring wheat varieties for the Pacific Northwest.
First Annual Sunrise Orchard Field Day
You are invited to attend the first annual field day at the WSU Sunrise Research Orchard. The orchard was established as a collaborative effort between WSU and the tree fruit industry in 2007. Please come see how the site has developed into a modern orchard and sample some of the research that is or will occur at this site.
DATE: July 22, 2 – 4 p.m.
Research Projects and Field Day Program Highlights
- Apple Breeding – application of new genomic and genetic technologies to develop new cultivars adapted to Washington
- Biological Control – a new federal grant will provide new tools and knowledge to take more advantage of natural pest controls in orchards.
- Crop Load Management – new chemical and mechanical approaches to thinning apple, pear, cherry, and soft fruits.
- Robotic Systems – new national project on engineering solutions to orchard power equipment, pest and disease detection, crop estimation, and orchard operations.
- Apple Replant –new project oriented at managing replant in organic systems.
- Fumigation Trial – results of a fumigation trial at the orchard will be discussed.
- Research Orchard Development – how you can help ensure the new land resource meets the needs of Washington’s fruit industry.
Directions to Sunrise Orchard: The WSU Sunrise Research Orchard is located between Wenatchee and Quincy on highway 28. From Wenatchee travel south about 11 miles and turn left on Sunrise Ln. From Quincy travel towards Wenatchee on highway 28 about 17 miles and turn right on Sunrise Ln.
Questions and more information: Contact Darla Ewald, 509-663-8181, or e-mail dewald@wsu.edu.
WSU Field Day and Organic Farm
Come discover the latest research and hands-on teaching methods being tested at the Washington State University Organic Farm in Pullman Thursday, July 30 from 9:30 a.m. to 1 p.m., including a four-year study of diverse winter and summer vegetables grown in unheated, unlit field hoop houses to increase production efficiency. The farm operates a 105-member fruit and vegetable CSA, selling to the local community. Students provide the bulk of the labor as part of their academic program. Tour the farm with the farmers, researchers, and students guiding the discussions. Visitors will be introduced to current student projects and faculty research plots.
Surf Report: New on the Web
A dozen or so articles on plant health have been assembled as a digital brochure on the Agricultural Research Center site: http://arc.wsu.edu/researchimpacts/plant-health/index.html.
Marketing, News, and Educational Communications’ intern Holly Luka wrote a piece on visiting Iraqi extension specialists which is featured on the CAHNRS Web site: http://cahnrs.wsu.edu/archives/2009/07-iraqi-educators.html.
Luka also wrote a feature story on WSU interior design students winning awards at a national competition: http://cahnrs.wsu.edu/archives/2009/06-id-winners.html.
Food science student product development teams won awards at a recent national competition and are the subject of a video and feature story on the Academic Programs site: http://academic.cahnrs.wsu.edu/archive/2009/05-food-sci.html.
Marketing, News, and Educational Communications interns produced a video about the importance of internships: http://academic.cahnrs.wsu.edu/student_life/internships-2007-08.html.