There are many horticultural factors in the culture of tree fruit crops. My current program objectives were selected since I feel that they are some of the most pressing problems faced by the Mid-Atlantic tree fruit industry. My main program focus is on rootstock and variety testing. Major changes are occurring in both rootstocks and varieties that will be used in the new orchards of the Mid-Atlantic tree fruit industry. If the industry is to survive highly productive and efficient orchards must be used.
Less time is spent on storage and economic projects.
PAES Project 3626. All tree fruits are now grown commercially on either clonally or seed propagated rootstocks. These rootstocks impart unique traits to the resulting tree. The production of apples on dwarfing, disease resistant rootstocks is the best example of enhanced production efficiency due to the unique traits of rootstocks . Research is needed to evaluate new genetic materials becoming available by conventional breeding and through genetic engineering.