Summertime in the Northeast of the United States has always meant berry season. The Berry Research Team of Cornell University combine expertise in horticulture, entomology, plant pathology, agricultural economics, berry breeding and management to solve problems for the industry. “We bring a lot of management practices to the grower. Things that we learn in the field so they can implement them in a safe and sustainable manner.”
They are breeding strawberries and raspberries varieties since the 1800’s, looking for the right firmness, color and flavor for the fruits. Then the plant needs to be vigorous, have root rot tolerance, and tolerance to leaf diseases. Currently, they have focused a lot on spotted wing drosophila. “This invasive insect devastated the berry industry.”
Source: Cornell University