Tuesday, May 22, 2012 6:00-8:00 p.m.
Carvel Research and Education Center
16483 County Seat Highway
Georgetown, DE 19947
Participants will have the opportunity to tour experimental plots and hear about current research on June-bearing and day-neutral strawberries, blueberries and blackberries.
Strawberry research includes plasticulture variety trials with USDA selections from the Beltsville breeding program; summer planted and overwintered day neutral varieties; spring 2011 planted, overwintered, and crown thinned day neutral varieties for summer 2012 production; use of shade cloth and reflective mulch for temperature reduction in day neutral strawberries; and root inoculant and mustard seed meal treatments for root health and soil disease management in strawberries.
Blueberry research includes a 2011 planted variety trial with southern highbush selections; a mulching material study; and a planting hole treatment study.
Blackberry plots are concentrated on evaluating primocane bearing fall fruiting varieties from the University of Arkansas breeding program.
Also featured will be insect management programs and emerging insect pests of small fruits (spotted wing Drosophila). Extension specialists and associates will be on hand to lead the tour and answer questions.
Strawberry tastings and light refreshments served.
To register, contact Karen Adams at (302) 856-2585 ext. 540 or email adams@udel.edu
For additional program information, contact Gordon Johnson, gcjohn@udel.edu, (302)-856-2585 ext. 590, gcjohn@udel.edu.