Fruit crops | Department of Plant Sciences

Fruit falling onto an inflated bed of bubblewrap and air pillows

Plant scientists assist on NIFA project to create a shake-and-catch harvesting system for soft fruits

by mmarcure
March 03, 2021

Engineering

Assistant Professor Brian Bailey and Cooperative Extension Specialist Elizabeth Mitcham, both of the Department of Plant Sciences, are assisting on a project to create a mechanized shake-and-catch harvesting system for soft fruits without fall damage.

Carlos Crisosto receives Distinguished Service Award, releases book

by Lauri Brandeberry
November 24, 2020

If you have bitten into a ripe, store-bought peach or nectarine, you may have UC Cooperative Extension postharvest physiologist specialist Carlos Crisosto to thank.

Giulia Marino: New Plant Sciences Faculty and Cooperative Extension Specialist

by Ann Filmer
June 22, 2020

Department news

Expert on tree physiology in orchard systems

Giulia Marino, a crop physiologist, is the new UC Cooperative Extension (UCCE) Specialist in Orchard Systems, and a faculty member in the Department of Plant Sciences at the University of California, Davis (UC Davis). She is primarily based at the UC Kearney Agricultural Research and Extension Center in Parlier, California, and has a second office in Wickson Hall at UC Davis.

Breeding, Part 2: Cling Peach, with Tom Gradziel (PODCAST)

by Ann Filmer
March 09, 2020

Breeding

Cling peach breeding is the topic of this podcast, featuring Tom Gradziel, Department of Plant Sciences, UC Davis. The podcast and discussion are hosted by Luke Milliron, UC Cooperative Extension.

Would You Eat Ugly Produce? Beth Mitcham Explains Quality

by Ann Filmer
October 14, 2019

Postharvest handling

Postharvest specialist Beth Mitcham, a faculty member in the Plant Sciences department at UC Davis, compares quality and cost of “imperfect” fruits and vegetables to store-bought produce. She notes that imperfect produce can be just as good, less expensive, and reduce food waste. VIDEO: Good Morning America.

Podcast — History, Cultivation, Production, and Breeding of Strawberries

by Ann Filmer
September 05, 2019

Multimedia

A Gastropod podcast covers the cultivation of strawberries in Europe 300 years ago, to their transport to the U.S., to their major production in California. Professor Steve Knapp, director of the Strawberry Breeding Program, Department of Plant Sciences, UC Davis, is featured in the podcast.

Louise Ferguson Named President-Elect of the American Society for Horticultural Science (ASHS)

by Ann Filmer
July 30, 2019

Awards and rankings

Louise Ferguson, faculty member in Plant Sciences, UC Davis, and Cooperative Extension pomology specialist for California, is the new President-elect of the American Society for Horticultural Science (ASHS), a professional academic society. This appointment will be followed by a year as ASHS President and a year as Chairman of the ASHS Board of Directors.

UC Davis Releases Five New Strawberry Varieties – Publicly available plants will help farmers manage diseases, production costs

by Ann Filmer
July 10, 2019

Breeding

The Public Strawberry Breeding Program, UC Davis, has released five new varieties that will help farmers manage diseases, control costs, and produce plenty of large, robust berries using less water, fertilizer, and pesticides. Two of the varieties could increase yields by almost 30 percent.

Avocados May Find a Place in Northern California Orchards to Meet Growing Consumer Demand

by Ann Filmer
April 30, 2019

Agriculture

With U.S. avocado consumption doubling every decade, new Northern California avocado production is being explored to complement Southern California production.

Sensory Evaluation of Fruit Treated with Ethyl Formate

by Ann Filmer
March 18, 2019

Postharvest handling

Project determines if ethyl formate, used as a fumigant for postharvest pest control, affects the sensory quality of citrus fruit.