Gregory A Lang

Michigan State University | MSU

A frost occurred in spring following high temperatures in Michigan in 2007. It caused important crop losses. In this study, the damage the frost had on the flower buds of some cherry cultivars on ‘Gisela 5’ at the Southwest Michigan Research and Extension Center (SWMREC) and different cherry scion/rootstock combinations at the Clarksville Horticult...

This book contains 12 chapters focusing on the current trends in sweet cherry production, cherry flowering, fruiting and cultivars, sweet cherry rootstocks, planning a new cherry orchard, orchard establishment and production, the fundamentals of sweet cherry pruning, various sweet cherry training systems, management of the orchard environment, frui...

This book contains 12 chapters focusing on the current trends in sweet cherry production, cherry flowering, fruiting and cultivars, sweet cherry rootstocks, planning a new cherry orchard, orchard establishment and production, the fundamentals of sweet cherry pruning, various sweet cherry training systems, management of the orchard environment, frui...

This book contains 12 chapters focusing on the current trends in sweet cherry production, cherry flowering, fruiting and cultivars, sweet cherry rootstocks, planning a new cherry orchard, orchard establishment and production, the fundamentals of sweet cherry pruning, various sweet cherry training systems, management of the orchard environment, frui...

This book contains 12 chapters focusing on the current trends in sweet cherry production, cherry flowering, fruiting and cultivars, sweet cherry rootstocks, planning a new cherry orchard, orchard establishment and production, the fundamentals of sweet cherry pruning, various sweet cherry training systems, management of the orchard environment, frui...

This book contains 12 chapters focusing on the current trends in sweet cherry production, cherry flowering, fruiting and cultivars, sweet cherry rootstocks, planning a new cherry orchard, orchard establishment and production, the fundamentals of sweet cherry pruning, various sweet cherry training systems, management of the orchard environment, frui...

This book contains 12 chapters focusing on the current trends in sweet cherry production, cherry flowering, fruiting and cultivars, sweet cherry rootstocks, planning a new cherry orchard, orchard establishment and production, the fundamentals of sweet cherry pruning, various sweet cherry training systems, management of the orchard environment, frui...

This book contains 12 chapters focusing on the current trends in sweet cherry production, cherry flowering, fruiting and cultivars, sweet cherry rootstocks, planning a new cherry orchard, orchard establishment and production, the fundamentals of sweet cherry pruning, various sweet cherry training systems, management of the orchard environment, frui...

This book contains 12 chapters focusing on the current trends in sweet cherry production, cherry flowering, fruiting and cultivars, sweet cherry rootstocks, planning a new cherry orchard, orchard establishment and production, the fundamentals of sweet cherry pruning, various sweet cherry training systems, management of the orchard environment, frui...

This book contains 12 chapters focusing on the current trends in sweet cherry production, cherry flowering, fruiting and cultivars, sweet cherry rootstocks, planning a new cherry orchard, orchard establishment and production, the fundamentals of sweet cherry pruning, various sweet cherry training systems, management of the orchard environment, frui...

This book contains 12 chapters focusing on the current trends in sweet cherry production, cherry flowering, fruiting and cultivars, sweet cherry rootstocks, planning a new cherry orchard, orchard establishment and production, the fundamentals of sweet cherry pruning, various sweet cherry training systems, management of the orchard environment, frui...

This book contains 12 chapters focusing on the current trends in sweet cherry production, cherry flowering, fruiting and cultivars, sweet cherry rootstocks, planning a new cherry orchard, orchard establishment and production, the fundamentals of sweet cherry pruning, various sweet cherry training systems, management of the orchard environment, frui...

This book contains 12 chapters focusing on the current trends in sweet cherry production, cherry flowering, fruiting and cultivars, sweet cherry rootstocks, planning a new cherry orchard, orchard establishment and production, the fundamentals of sweet cherry pruning, various sweet cherry training systems, management of the orchard environment, frui...

In 2010, an orchard trial of apple rootstocks was established at 12 locations in the United States, Canada, and Mexico using ‘Honeycrisp’ as the scion cultivar. Rootstocks included two named clones from the Budagovsky series (B.9, B.10), six unreleased Budagovsky clones (B.7-3-150, B.7-20-21, B.64-194, B.67-5-32, B.70-6-8, and B.71-7-22), four name...

In 2010, an orchard trial of apple rootstocks was established at 12 locations in the United States, Canada, and Mexico using ‘Honeycrisp’ as the scion cultivar. Rootstocks included two named clones from the Budagovsky series (B.9, B.10), six unreleased Budagovsky clones (B.7-3-150, B.7-20-21, B.64-194, B.67-5-32, B.70-6-8, and B.71-7-22), four name...

Background: Epicormic branches arise from dormant buds patterned during the growth of previous years. Dormant epicormic buds remain just below the surface of trees, pushed outward from the pith during secondary growth, but maintain vascular connections. Epicormic buds can be activated to elongate into a new shoot, either through natural processes...

Epicormic branches arise from dormant buds patterned during the growth of previous years. Dormant epicormic buds remain on the surface of trees, pushed outward from the pith during secondary growth, but maintaining vascular connections. Epicormic buds can be reactivated, either through natural processes or intentionally, to rejuvenate orchards and...

Sweet cherry (Prunus avium L.) remains recalcitrant for genetic transformation due to the lack of efficient plant regeneration systems via organogenesis or somatic embryogenesis. In this study, in vitro shoot cultures were derived from a single mature embryo (open pollinated) of ‘Selah’ sweet cherry. Leaf explants were cultured on Woody Plant Mediu...

Sweet cherry (Prunus avium) tree canopies comprise three types of leaf populations: fruiting spur (FS), nonfruiting spur (NFS), and extension shoot (ES) leaves. The contribution of each leaf population as sources of photoassimilate synthesis and distribution for sweet cherry fruit development has not been described previously. To determine how carb...

This book contains 20 chapters and is divided into 4 parts focusing on genetic resources and improvement, ecophysiology and production, pests and diseases and their management and harvesting, processing and utilization of sweet and sour cherries.

This book contains 20 chapters and is divided into 4 parts focusing on genetic resources and improvement, ecophysiology and production, pests and diseases and their management and harvesting, processing and utilization of sweet and sour cherries.

Main Description Sweet and sour cherries (Prunus avium and Prunus cerasus) are important fruit crops for which demand is high and growing. A significant number of new varieties, rootstocks and training systems have been released or developed in recent years in order to improve the efficiency and profitability of cherry orchards. Cherries: Botany,...

In 2010, an orchard trial of apple rootstocks was established at 13 locations in the United States, Canada, and Mexico using 'Honeycrisp' as the scion cultivar. Rootstocks included two named clones from the Budagovsky series (B.9, B.10), seven unreleased named clone from the Pill-nitz series (Supp.3), two unreleased Pillnitz clones (PiAu 9-90 and P...

As the production benefits of pruning fruit trees have been realized, growers have begun pruning periodically and, accordingly, various canopy training systems have begun to be developed. Following the genetic development of dwarfing rootstocks, interest has grown in the creation of modern training systems for smaller, more efficient orchards. Duri...

Upright Fruiting Offshoots (UFO) is a novel high-density training system for sweet cherry (Prunus avium L.) that produces fruit on multiple vertical leaders ("offshoots") arising from a cordon-like trunk.The promotion of sufficient upright shoot number and uniform shoot distribution during establishment are key to development of this training syste...

Stored reserves are critical for the early spring growth of reproductive and vegetative sinks in sweet cherry (Prunus avium L.). To study the distribution of carbon storage reserves on new, highly productive hybrid rootstocks in sweet cherry, an experiment was established using 5-yr-old cv. ‘Regina’ on the semi-vigorous rootstock ‘Gisela®6’ (‘GI®6’...

Prunus necrotic ringspot virus (PNRSV) is a common pollen-borne virus that can infect many Prunus species. While some strains cause serious adverse effects (e.g., rugose mosaic virus), many strains are relatively symptomless in sweet cherry (Prunus avium). However, even symptomless strains can cause adverse reactions in some cherry rootstocks, such...

A sweet cherry trial coordinated across North America (the NC140 project) was established in 2010 to integrate precocious rootstocks (of varying vigor levels) with intensive, pedestrian orchard canopy training systems suitable for different regions. The trial sites range from Mexico (Chihuahua/MX) to the United States (California/CA, Colorado/CO, M...

Multi-bay, three-season high tunnels can provide production advantages for high value tree fruits, particularly those for which a protected environment can add significant crop or market access value. A key challenge for tunnel production of such woody perennial crops is the efficient utilization of space within the tunnel as well as containment of...

Prunus necrotic ringspot virus (PNRSV) is a major pollen-disseminated ilarvirus that adversely affects many Prunus species. In this study, an RNA interference (RNAi) vector pART27-PNRSV containing an inverted repeat (IR) region of PNRSV was transformed into two hybrid (triploid) cherry rootstocks, 'Gisela 6' (GI 148-1) and 'Gisela 7'(GI 148-8)', wh...

Cherry culture would benefit by efficient supply of demand-driven nutrients, nitrogen being the most critical. Our research addressed measures of tissue N flux and N application at specific physiological timings. Three California ‘Bing’ orchards (planted 1998) were selected by rootstock and location: seedling P. mahaleb (Lodi), and clonal Gisela-6...

The adaptation of high tunnels for sweet cherry (Prunus avium L.) production in continental temperate, rainy climates can provide a number of potential benefits, foremost being protection from rain-induced fruit cracking. In recent years, we have demonstrated that high tunnels also can improve tree growth and facilitate high fruit quality, as well...

Production of fresh market sweet cherries (Prunus avium L.) requires high labor inputs and incurs significant risks, such as frosts, rain-induced fruit cracking, bird damage, etc. Research to improve orchard efficiencies, and to simplify and reduce tree structure and stature, is key to improving orchard economics. The development of high-density fr...

In spring 2002, a North American-wide trial of apple rootstocks was established under the coordination of NC-140. 'Buckeye Gala' (Malus × domestica) was used as the scion cultivar, and rootstocks included B.9 North America (the strain commonly used in North America), B.9 Europe (the strain commonly used in Europe), M.26 EMLA, M.26 NAKB, M.9 Burgmer...

For intensive sweet cherry (Prunus avium L.) production in non-ideal environments, high tunnel-covered orchard systems have a primary advantage of potentially reducing rain-induced fruit cracking as well as several secondary advantages. In 2005, research to incorporate high tunnels, dwarfing precocious rootstocks, and precision canopy training syst...

In spring, 1999, two trials of dwarf apple (Malus × domestica) rootstocks were established under the coordination of the NC-140 Technical Committee. One trial included 'Fuji' as the scion cultivar, and the other included 'McIntosh'. Rootstocks were CG.4013, CG.5179, Geneva ® (G) 16N (liners from stoolbeds), G.16T (liners from stoolbeds derived from...

Dormant sweet (Prunus avium) and sour (P. cerasus) cherry spur nutrient levels can influence a number of initial growth activities in spring, including fruit set and leaf expansion. Rootstock genotypes may vary in uptake and translocation of mineral nutrients to sites of utilization within the canopy. Consequently, at the conclusion of the most rec...

Seasonal uptake, storage, and remobilization of nitrogen (N) are of critical importance for plant growth. The use of N reserves for new growth in the spring is especially important for sweet cherry (Prunus avium L.), for which new shoot and fruit growth is concomitant and fruit development occurs during a relatively short bloom-to- ripening period....

'Fuji' and 'McIntosh' apple trees (Malus x domestica Borkh.) on CG.4814, CG.7707, G.30N (liners from stool beds), M.7 EMLA, M.26 EMLA, and Supporter 4 rootstocks were planted at six sites with 'Fuji' and seven sites with 'McIntosh' as the scion cultivars throughout North America as a uniform trial coordinated by the NC-140 Technical Committee. Part...

A leaf area (LA) estimation model developed in a temperate climate for sweet cherry (Prunus avium L.) was tested for validation on �Regina� trees on two rootstocks of varying vigor, �Gisela 5� (Gi5) and �Gisela 6� (Gi6), in a cool temperate climate (the Great Lakes region of North America). To determine the degree of accuracy of the model, actual L...

Highly-structured canopy training systems for sweet cherries are not new (e.g., Marchand Drapeau, Tatura trellis), but previously these have not been adopted widely. During the past decade, the commercial availability of precocious hybrid rootstocks that also confer varying levels of tree size control have stimulated the development of several uniq...

Introduction Vegetative Growth Following Fruit Harvest Flower Bud Initiation Dormancy Anthesis Fruit Development and Ripening Model Integration Literature Cited

In composite (scion–rootstock) dwarfing fruit trees, an overgrowth at the graft union is often observed, the severity of which is correlated with degree of dwarfing. The graft union of dwarfing sweet cherry (Prunus avium L.) rootstocks may limit soluble sugar transport or starch mobilization, leading to localized accumulation. Soluble sugars and st...

Use of dwarfing rootstocks has dramatically increased the profitability of fruit production by reducing production costs, reduced chemical use and higher density plantings. Despite the importance of rootstock-induced dwarfing, the cause of this phenomenon is not known. Using two commercially available graft combinations consisting of a sweet cherry...

Genetic transformation will be an increasingly important tool for potential improvement of cultivated cherry species (e.g., Prunus avium L., P. cerasus L., and interspecific rootstocks). To understand the best potential applications of genetic engineering and transformation to overcome current genetic barriers to, and/or improve efficiency of, deve...

Cherries contain bioactive anthocyanins that are reported to possess antioxidant, anti-inflammatory, anticancer, antidiabetic and antiobese properties. The present study revealed that red sweet cherries contained cyanidin-3-O-rutinoside as major anthocyanin (>95%). The sweet cherry cultivar "Kordia" (aka "Attika") showed the highest cyanidin-3-O-ru...

High tunnel production systems typically use horticultural crops that are annually or biennially herbaceous, high in value, short in stature, and quick to produce. At best, tree fruits may fit only one of these criteria-high value. Sweet cherry (Prunus avium) may command high enough values in premium market niches to make high tunnel production str...

High tunnel production systems typically use horticultural crops that are annually or biennially herbaceous, high in value, short in stature, and quick to produce. At best, tree fruits may fit only one of these criteria–high value. Sweet cherry ( Prunus avium ) may command high enough values in premium market niches to make high tunnel production s...

In sweet cherry (Prunus avium L.), fruit size and quality are dependent on photoassimilate synthesis and subsequent partitioning among different sink organs. As little was known about the relative importance of different sweet cherry leaf populations (i.e., fruiting spur leaves, FSL; non-fruiting spur leaves, NFSL; and current season shoot leaves,...

Dye transport through vascular pathways was examined in tissues surrounding the graft union of second-leaf, field-grown trees of 'Lapins'/Gisela 5 ('Gi 5') (dwarfing) and 'Lapins'/'Colt' (nondwarfing). Excavated, intact trees were allowed to take up xylem-mobile dye via transpiration for 6 h before sectioning the tree into scion, graft union, and r...

Traditional sweet cherry (Prunus avium L.) training systems in the United States are based upon vigorous rootstocks and multiple leader vase canopy architectures. The sweet cherry research lab at Washington State University has been investigating the potential of new rootstocks and training systems to improve production efficiency and produce high...

Production of sweet cherries in high density systems can be accomplished in a number of ways, but underlying principles exist across all systems that are critical to their success. Inherent vigor and productivity factors -scion, soil type, climate, rootstock -must be taken into account before deciding upon a particular training strategy to impose....

Single applications of prohexadione-Calcium (P-Ca, Apogee®, BASF) or ethephon (ETH, Ethrel®, Aventis CropScience) to young, non-cropping 'Bing'/Mazzard sweet cherry trees produced short-term reductions in terminal shoot elongation rate but did not reduce total seasonal shoot growth. Application of a tank-mix of P-Ca and ETH produced a stronger redu...

This regional rootstock research trial was planted in spring 1998 in British Columbia, California, Colorado, Oregon (2 sites), Utah, and Washington. 'Bing' was the scion variety and the rootstocks tested were: mazzard seedling (Prunus avium); P. mahaleb seedling; Gisela® 3, 4, 5, 6, and 7 interspecific hybrids; Giessen (Gi) 195/20 and 318/17 hybrid...

Canopy fruit to leaf area ratios (fruit no./m2 leaf area, F:LA) of 7- and 8-year-old 'Bing' sweet cherry (Prunus avium L.) on the dwarfing rootstock 'Gisela 5' (P. cerasus L. x P. canescens L.) were manipulated by thinning dormant fruit buds. F:LA influenced yield, fruit quality, and vegetative growth, but there were no consistent effects on whole...

In nature, sweet cherry (Prunus avium L.) is a large (15+ m) tree; under orchard management, canopy volume and stature are reduced by pruning, thereby altering leaf and fruit distribution and source: sink relationships such that fruit quality is generally enhanced. New rootstocks, such as Gisela 5, exhibit a tendency to increase total floral bud fo...

Interspecific hybrid rootstocks for sweet cherries (Prunus avium L.) have been introduced to reduce plant height and increase productivity. Mechanisms of dwarfing in sweet cherry are not well understood, thus best management practices are difficult to delineate for all rootstock/scion combinations. Historical work on apples (Malus spp.), citrus (Ci...

The effect of altered sweet cherry (Prunus avium L.) source-sink relationships was examined in three-year-old branches comprised of current season terminal shoot growth, 1-year-old non-fruiting spurs, and 2-year-old fruiting spurs on 7-year-old 'Bing'/Gisela 5 trees. Treatments were imposed by manually removing dormant vegetative buds (5 March, 200...

Single applications of prohexadione-calcium (P-Ca, Apogee®, BASF) or ethephon (ETH, Ethrel®, Bayer) to young, non-cropping 'Attika', 'Bing' and 'Regina'/Mazzard sweet cherry trees in 2000 produced only small, short-term reductions in terminal shoot elongation rate. Single applications of P-Ca, ETH or the tank mix were ineffective for stimulating fl...

Prohexadione-Ca (P-Ca) and ethephon (ETH) were evaluated as potential inhibitors of growth and promoters of early flowering for high density orchard management of sweet cherry (Prunus avium L.) trees on vigorous rootstocks. Single applications (P-Ca at 125 to 250 mg·L-1 active ingredient (a.i.) or ETH at 175 to 200 mg·L-1a.i.) to young, nonfruiting...

Most sweet cherry (Prunus avium L.) cultivars grown commercially in the United States are susceptible to powdery mildew, caused by the fungus Podosphaera clandestina (Wall.:Fr.) Lev. Recently, hybrid populations segregating for resistance to powdery mildew were developed by crossing a mildew-resistant sweet cherry selection, PMR-1, with the suscept...

Over the last 20 years stone fruit rootstock development has begun shifting from seedling to clonal types, many of interspecific origin. Publicly funded breeding programs have produced most of these rootstocks due to the time, cost, and risk associated with their development; however, private industry is emerging as a significant contributor of man...

To initiate photosynthetic studies of sweet cherry (Prunus avium L.) canopy architectures and cropping management under high light and temperature conditions (Yakima Valley, Wash.), we developed a whole-canopy research cuvette system with a variable airflow plenum that allowed different patterns of air delivery (in concentric circles around the tru...

In agricultural areas under pressure from rising labor costs, such as the Pacific Northwest U.S., sweet cherry (Prunus avium) production must become more efficient. A primary means of increasing production efficiencies lies in higher density orchards designed to reduce labor costs, as well as time from planting to first significant harvest. As with...

Most sweet cherry (prunus avium L.) cultivars grown commercially in the Pacific Northwestern states of the United States are susceptible to powdery mildew, caused by the fungus Podosphaera clandestina (Wall.:Fr.) Lev. The disease is prevalent in the irrigated arid region east of the Cascade Mountains in Washington State. Little is known about genet...

A personal computer-based method was compared with standard visual assessment for quantifying colonization of sweet cherry (Prunus avium L.) leaves by powdery mildew (PM) caused by Podosphaera clandestina (Wallr.: Fr.) Lev. Leaf disks from 14 cultivars were rated for PM severity (percentage of leaf area colonized) by three methods: 1) visual assess...

Most sweet cherry ( Prunus avium L.) cultivars grown commercially in the Pacific Northwest U.S. are susceptible to powdery mildew caused by the fungus Podosphaera clandestina (Wall.:Fr.) Lev. The disease is prevalent in the irrigated arid region east of the Cascade Mountains in Washington State. Little is known about genetic resistance to powdery m...

A detached leaf disk assay for screening sweet cherry (Prunus avium L.) genotypes for susceptibility to powdery mildew (PM) [Podosphaera clandestina (Wallr.:Fr.) Lev.] was developed by evaluating the effects of photoperiod (24 hours light, 0 hours light, 14 hours light/10 hours dark), substrate nutrient content (sterile distilled water, 1% sucrose)...

Sweet cherry (Prunus avium) breeding at IAREC/WSU was begun nearly 50 years ago. During that time, 'Rainier' and 'Chinook' were bred and released by Harold Fogle, and 'Chelan', 'Glacier', 'Olympus', 'Index', 'Cashmere', and 'Simcoe' were bred by Tom Toyama and released by Ed Proebsting. Of these, the blushed yellow 'Rainier' has become the highest...

Sweet cherries (Prunus avium L.) can be one of the most profitable tree fruits cultivated in temperate climates. While cherry trees grow naturally to relatively tall heights (≃35 ft [≥10 m]), new size-controlling cherry rootstocks similar to those used in high-density apple (Malus domestica Borkh.) orchards are now a reality. The Gisela (GI.) and W...

Sweet cherries ( Prunus avium ) can be one of the most profitable tree fruit cultivated in temperate climates. While cherry trees grow naturally to relatively tall heights, new size-controlling cherry rootstocks similar to those used in high-density apple orchards are now a reality. The Gisela series from Germany, the Gran Manier series from Belgiu...

Of eight genotypes of cayenne pepper (Capsicum annuum L.) examined, two were identified that differ significantly in ease of fruit detachment force. Greenhouse and field-grown plants of these genotypes, Cajun 1-9027 and Cap-9004, were investigated for differences in cell type and organization at the fruit and receptacle junction. Scanning electron...

To examine the effect of timing and severity of summer pruning on flower bud initiation and vegetative growth, 4-year-old 'Bing' cherry trees (Prunus avium L.) were pruned at 31, 34, 37, 38, or 45 days after full bloom (DAFB) with heading cuts 20 cm from the base of current-season lateral shoot growth, or at 38 DAFB by heading current-season latera...

Flower initiation and development in 'Bing' sweet cherry (Prunus avium L.) was examined using scanning electron microscopy. There was a 1- to 2-week difference in the time of initiation of flower buds on summer pruned current season shoots (P) compared to buds borne on unpruned shoots (U) or spurs (S). By late July, this difference was obvious in m...

In early summer 1995, we bark graft-inoculated PDV, PNRSV, or PDV+PNRSV into canopy branches on young (Mahaleb, GI 148/1, GI 148/2, GI 148/8, GI 172/9, and GI 195/1) or mature (18 rootstock genotypes in the 1987 NC-140 rootstock trial) trees of ‘Bing’ sweet cherry. Within 10 weeks of inoculation, gum exudation at the graft union was apparent in you...