The traps, made from pressed wood pulp, resemble pots used in plant nurseries. The single entrance hole for bees can be plugged to trap them inside. The calcium treatments cost as little as 22 cents a tree per year. Without calcium sprays, up to half the harvest of some apple varieties like Braeburn could be culled before they reach the market. ARS researchers who developed the technology are still working to pinpoint the best time to apply the calcium.
Growers currently spray by calendar dates.
The research is funded partially by the Washington Tree Fruit Research Commission. The machine dries the cotton at a lower temperature for a longer time than a conventional tower dryer. This allows sufficient drying time without damaging the cotton. Two gins in Texas and one in Virginia are already using the dryer. Also, a kenaf processing plant in Mississippi uses the dryer to prepare kenaf for making a variety of products including textiles and paper.