WTFRC

Lacewing Release Field Day

A few different opportunities to catch a WSU field day highlighting new research on how to effectively use lacewings for biocontrol in apples!

Wednesday, June 24th - Pateros, WA
Thursday, June 25th - Rock Island, WA
Thursday, June 25 - Royal City, WA

For more information and to register visit treefruit.wsu.edu/events

JOIN THE PEAR RESEARCH SUBCOMMITTEE

The deadline for applications is fast approaching! Applications to join the Pear Research Subcommittee are accepted until June 15th.

We currently have two open positions on the PRSC and are looking for pear industry representatives interested in science and research who would be willing to serve on this active committee and help guide research efforts in support of the PNW pear industry. There is one position open specifically for the Yakima area, and another at large position which would ideally be filled by someone from either the Mid-Columbia/Hood River area or the Wenatchee Valley.

If you are interested in being considered for an open position, please fill out this simple form and email it to [email protected] by JUNE 15. https://treefruitresearch.org/wp-content/uploads/2023/09/PRSC-Applicant-Form-March-2023-002.pdf

For more information on being a committee member, please visit https://treefruitresearch.org/about-us/committees/ .

🌱 Agricultural Biochar Demonstration & Workshop Recap 🔥

We had an incredible hands-on learning experience this spring at McManus Orchard led by trainer Korina Stark with special guest Sharol Marsec.

Following the removal of cider trees last October, this workshop focused on transforming orchard waste into something valuable—biochar. Biochar is a charcoal-like material created through pyrolysis (heating organic material like wood, crop waste, or manure in a low-oxygen environment).

Benefits:
• Improves soil water and nutrient retention
• Locks carbon into a stable form, helping reduce CO₂ in the atmosphere
• Enhances conditions for beneficial soil microbes

💡 Key Takeaways:
• Moisture content matters! Ideal wood moisture is between 10–25% (use a moisture meter).
• Slow and steady loading is essential—adding material too quickly can extinguish the flame.
• A puff of smoke when adding new material is completely normal.
• The kiln used was an 8-foot diameter flame cap kiln, with larger (12 ft) versions requiring costly permits.
• The setup included a six-panel ring-of-fire flame cap kiln, designed for efficient and cleaner burning.

🔥 How It Works:
The kiln operates by burning gases (volatiles) at the top flame cap, reaching temperatures over 1500–1700°F. Proper airflow and heat circulation—supported by heat shields and a soil seal—create a cleaner, efficient burn with minimal oxygen entering from below.
This workshop demonstrated how orchard waste can be turned into a sustainable resource while improving soil health and reducing environmental impact.

🍒 Northwest Cherry season has officially begun! Harvest is underway around the state and the time has finally come to grab one of the seasonal favorites. 🍒

This past month, we had the opportunity to work with Dr. Zhu and her students on water sample collection for a project titled “Optimizing the Lifespan of Chlorinated Dump Tanks via Modeling.” The goal of this study was to develop and validate mathematical models assessing how free chlorine (FC), chemical oxygen demand (COD), and initial contamination levels influence Listeria control in apple dump tank systems.

Using a pilot-scale setup with simulated processing water, results showed that higher free chlorine improved microbial reduction and reduced cross-contamination, while elevated COD levels decreased chlorine efficacy. Higher initial contamination levels also reduced sanitizer performance. Response Surface Methodology (RSM) models accurately predicted outcomes (R² = 0.91–0.98) and were further validated using commercial dump tank water collected from apple packing facilities in Washington State.

Overall, the findings highlight the importance of water quality management and chlorine control in reducing microbial cross-contamination risk during apple packing operations. A big thank you to our collaborators for their support on this project, and to our wonderful interns, Valentina and Geoff, for their hard work and assistance in sample collection and study support.

We want to congratulate Dr. Manoella Mendoza once again! A couple weeks ago, she traveled to Pullman to celebrate commencement and this incredible achievement. We are proud of all her hard work and dedication, and look forward to all she will continue to accomplish!

Last week several of the internal staff had the opportunity to join the FIRA press conference at the Yakima Sundome to kick off 2026 FIRA USA!

It was a great turnout and informative presentations. The morning was filled with:

✅ Official announcements about FIRA USA 2026 and our new exclusive formats
✅ Insights from industry leaders & local officials
✅ A panel discussion on Growers’ Perspectives on Automation
✅ A preview of the latest autonomous & robotic farming solutions
✅ Networking opportunities

We are looking forward to being part of the event in October and hope to see you all there!

Save The Date ⤵️
📍 Yakima, Washington State
📅 October 20–22, 2026
🎟️ Registration is now open 👉 https://fira-usa.com/

We would like to welcome Geoffrey, who has been with us since March as an intern at the Washington Tree Fruit Research Commission! Originally from South Africa, Geoffrey grew up on his family’s apple and pear farm near Caledon, just outside of Cape Town, where he developed a passion for horticulture and the outdoors. He attended Rondebosch Boys' High School and later graduated from Stellenbosch University with a degree in Plant and Soil Science, with a focus on Horticulture and Agricultural Economics.

Outside of work, Geoffrey enjoys spending time outdoors, mountain biking, reading, and gathering around the braai with family and friends. We are excited to have Geoffrey as part of the team and look forward to all he will learn and contribute during his internship year!