Rootstock Research Project Receives National Award

Win Cowgill of Rutgers University and Ron Perry of Michigan State University accept the award on behalf of NC-140. (Photo courtesy of Win Cowgill)

On behalf of the NC-140 Technical Committee, Win Cowgill of Rutgers University and Ron Perry of Michigan State University and administrative advisor for NC-140 accept the Award for Excellence in Multistate Research at the annual meeting the Association of Public Land-grant Universities in Indianapolis, IN. (Photo courtesy of Win Cowgill)

The NC-140 Research Project received the national 2015 Experiment Station Section Excellence in Multi-state Research Award for a project to improve the sustainability of tree fruits.

NC 140 awardThe Experiment Station Section Excellence in Multistate Research Award program is given annually to recognize those scientists who are conducting exemplary multistate activities and in doing so enhance the visibility of the multistate program. NC-140 also receives an additional $15,000 in additional funding. A permanent plaque will be displayed at the National Institute of Food and Agriculture in Washington, DC.

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NC-140 Research Project has been in existence since the 1970s and the award recognizes the project’s large body of work contributed by many researchers.

The NC-140 project was recognized for collaborations between Auburn University; University of Arkansas, University of California, Davis; California Cooperative Extension; Clemson University; Colorado State University; Cornell University; University of Georgia, University of Guelph, Ontario, Canada; University of Idaho; University of Illinois; Iowa State University; University of Kentucky; University of Maine; University of Maryland; University of Massachusetts; Michigan State University; University of Minnesota; University of Missouri; New Mexico State University; North Carolina State University; Ohio State University; Oregon State University; Pennsylvania State University; Purdue University; Rutgers University; Utah State University; Virginia Polytechnic Institute and State University; Washington State University; University of Wisconsin; Agriculture and Agri-Food Canada, British Columbia, Canada; Agriculture and Agri-food Canada, New Brunswick, Canada; Atlantic Food and Agri-Food, Kentville, Nova Scotia, Canada; Center for Advanced Studies in Fruit Production; National Institute of Forestry, Agriculture and Livestock Research, Mexico; USDA-ARS; and, USDA-ARS Plant Genetic Resources Unit.

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The project, “Improving Sustainability in Fruit Tree Production through Changes in Rootstock,” conducted innovative research on fruit tree rootstock genetics, production, management, and economics.

During the past five years NC-140 members evaluated rootstocks of temperate-zone fruit trees from around the world, regularly measuring tree growth, root anchorage, size control, soil and climatic adaptability, and pest and disease resistance. Based on their experimental plot results, the group used state-of-the-art genomic tools and breeding programs to develop improved rootstocks for temperate-zone fruit trees.

The team also developed new protocols for screening rootstocks, improved propagation techniques, and facilitated acquisition of rootstocks to accelerate their adoption among growers. In addition, NC-140 offered detailed recommendations regarding use of these new rootstocks, distributing research-based information through Extension, websites, written material, and educational programs.

NC-140 recommendations have resulted in earlier returns, greater yields, and higher fruit quality, with a financial benefit to U.S. fruit tree producers of at least $250 million. Less easily measured benefits, such as averted losses and enhanced environmental quality, likely increase the financial value of NC-140 to well beyond $500 million over the next five years.

For example, adoption of NC-140 recommended dwarfing rootstocks will result in a 50% reduction in canopy volume and a 50% reduction in pesticide usage on 200,000 acres with net environmental benefits and savings of $150 million in pesticide application costs.

With NC-140 recommended rootstocks, yields are expected to increase by 20% per acre, fruit size will increase by 10%, and tree losses due to disease will decline by 10%.

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