Horticulture

WSU to study Washington wine grapes exposed to wildfires

RICHLAND, Wash. – Hazy, smoke-filled skies across the West this fall made grape growers nervous, but Washington State University grape and wine chemistry researcher Tom Collins is working to minimize the effects of smoke exposure on wine grapes. When vineyard grapes are exposed to smoke, they can absorb tiny smoke particles into their fruit, causing […]

Rows of leafy green grapevines shrouded in mist.

Grafting watermelon prevents disease, WSU study shows

A new study from Washington State University’s Department of Horticulture found that splice grafting helps watermelons resist disease. For more than 10 years, watermelon growers in Washington’s Columbia Basin have been struggling with a disease called Verticillium wilt, caused by the fungus Verticillium dahliae. The findings were recently published in the American Society for Horticulture […]

A large quarter slice of pink watermelon.

Task force seeks new defenses against resurgent, cherry-devastating disease

Cherry trees infected with Little Cherry Disease bear small, bitter or bland fruits that often lack attractive coloring. The disease is a significant concern for growers, reducing yields and eventually causing fruit to fail entirely.…

Tree branches bearing large numbers of small, red as well as pale cherries.

Recent grad gives back with first career paycheck

2020 grad Neftali Garcia donated his entire first paycheck back in his new job to the Washington Apple Education Foundation (WAEF), which supported him through his college career.

Garcia holds a pennant saying "2020 Graduate" while wearing formal graduation robes.