Research Projects
Research Projects
The Cranberry Research Foundation (CRF) funded over $21,000.00 in research projects in 2011. CRF makes an ongoing effort to strategically fund projects that have immediate impact on the ability of Massachusetts cranberry growers to grow cranberries. CRF focuses on projects that improve the sustainability of cranberry production while protecting the environment.
The 2011 research projects that CRF contributed funding are as follows:
Title: Postemergence options for dodder control in Massachusetts
Principal Investigator: Hilary Sandler (PI) and Frank Caruso, UMass Cranberry Station
Research Objectives:
- Establish at least 2 field studies to collect efficacy data for the use of quinclorac as an early postermergnce control option for dodder.
- Collect preliminary field data on the efficacy of mycoherbicide on at least 2 commercial farms.
- Work with scientists, manufacturers, and regulatory officials to obtain use permits for quinclorac and the mycoherbicide for the cranberry industry.
Title: Using a mycoherbicide for management of yellow loosestrife
Principal Investigator: Frank Caruso, UMass Cranberry Station
Research Objectives:
- Continue to survey to determine if a naturally-occurring dieback disease of yellow loosestrife is widespread in Massachusetts cranberry beds.
- Conduct pathogenicity tests in order to prove that Fusarium oxysporum is the causal agent.
- Determine when yellow loosestrife is most susceptible to infection by Fusarium and perform field inoculations to determine if Fusarium can be introduced and cause disease in a bed lacking the disease.
Title: Cranberry insect research: insecticide screening and pest management
Principal Investigator: Anne L. Averill (PI) and Martha M. Sylvia, UMass Cranberry Station
Research Objectives:
- Evaluate new chemistries against cranberry flea beetle and cranberry fruitworm.
- Survey populations of flea beetle over time and space to determine 1) efficacy of current sprays and 2) when and where beds are most at risk.