Dr. Jim Flore Professor A318 Plant and Soil Sciences Michigan State University East Lansing, MI 48824-1325 Phone: 517/355-5191, ext 375 Fax: 517/353-0890 Email: flore@msu.edu

Estimating The Environmental (Carbon) Footprint of Michigan Apple and Cherry Orchards

Effects of Crop Load, Time of Thinning and Seed Number on Return Bloom and Bitter Pit of ‘Honeycrisp’ Apple

Education:

Ph.D.1975, Michigan State University, Horticulture/plant physiology                       
M.S., 1973, Michigan State University, Horticulture
B.S., 1968, Michigan State University, Horticulture

Research:

Research Impact: Research has centered around whole plant productivity and response to the environment, using photosynthesis and carbon partitioning as the basic processes governing growth. Recent impacts are:

• Development of a technique based on automated salt spray during a rain event to stop cherries from cracking.
• Established foliage damage threshold levels for mites on sour cherry and apple, based on productivity and whole tree photosynthesis.
•  Orchard design based on light interception and canopy shape. Generating fundamental knowledge:

Recent Publications:   

Gustavo A. Lobos, Paolo Sabbatini , Jim Flore, Alejandro del Pozo, Jorge B. Retamales. 2007. Crop Load and Time of Defoliation in Imperial Gala Apple Trees: Effects on Leaf Photosynthesis, Fruit Growth, and Yield.

Jim Flore, Phil Schwallier, Paolo Sabbatini and Lynne Sage, MSU. 2007. Management of Cropload on Honeycrisp to optimize fruit quality and return bloom. JPG  or   PDF

2007 M.A.R.C. Report - Management of Crop Load on Honeycrisp to optimize Fruit Quality and Return Bloom..pdf