Changing Technology of Growing Cherries

Changing Technology of Growing Cherries. I'm Greg Martin with today's Fruit Grower Report.

Dr. Matt Whiting is a cherry scientist at WSU's IAREC and while he is not an engineer he sees first hand the value of technology in the cherry industry. He takes a look into the future and what it might hold.

WHITING: If we take a little bit closer look at that crystal ball then I'm going to be describing the role of technology and I want to begin by saying I see technology and the role of technology in ensuring sustainability. And sometimes we think those are different things. We get a little bit frightened about technology and some of the areas I'm going to talk about but and their role in sustainability but I think underscoring everything I talk about is this issue of sustainability and that's the three legs of that sustainability stool, right? The social, environmental and ecological areas

Whiting breaks it down into two areas,

WHITING: So when you think about genetics, genomics and breeding; these are three terms that have been used with increasing intensity over the years. And there has been a tremendous industry investment through your funding through the Washington Research Commission for example but there's also been a tremendous investment from the University.

And Whiting says they are investing in these areas so we can yield or generate improved cultivars.

WHITING: Something better than Bing, better than what we have currently and improve rootstocks as well. Certainly to a lesser extent. Again underscoring the importance that these investments in genetics and genomics are going to improve the future sustainability of the industry.

That's today's Fruit Grower Report. I'm Greg Martin on the Ag Information Network.