03/06/06 Improving pear research

03/06/06 Improving pear research

Many within the Northwest tree fruit industry acknowledge that one of the primary reasons for their economic success lies within the many advances made through research and development. The goal for our region's tree fruit researchers has been to develop innovations that would produce commercial benefits. So with that in mind, industry researchers continue to find ways to improve upon past endeavors and successes. MCPHERSON: And one of the things that we're talking about right now is negotiating with the U.S.D.A. Agricultural Research Service to move a pear breeding position from West Virginia to Washington State. And according to Jim McPherson of the Washington State Tree Fruit Research Commission, the idea is still in the discussion phase between the agency and supporters. But still& MCPHERSON: U.S.D.A. has agreed that that could be a good idea, and we're negotiating with them right now how much would it cost? Where would it go? Who would it be? The hope of McPherson and other pear industry researchers is that an agreement can be reached with U.S.D.A. some time this year. MCPHERSON: So we'd finally have a full-time researcher right where pears are produced, rather than in West Virginia, working on breeding, rootstocks, and scions that are adapted to our conditions in Washington. And once that agreement is reached, the additional research personnel and time commitment should again bolster the Northwest pear industry's efforts in applicable research.
Previous Report03/03/06 Organic tree view fruit around US, Pt.3
Next Report03/07/06 Gee whiz; a documentary