A grower-focused Soft Fruit Technical Day hosted by NIAB EMR will take place again this year to share the latest innovative research into soft fruit production.
Research results from projects looking at pest and disease control and future strawberry varieties will be shared at an online webinar on Tuesday 16November Tuesday at 9.30am-3pm.
The event will feature a wide range of topics, starting with recent research into new approaches to spotted wing drosophila (SWD) control, including reducing over-wintering populations and egg-laying deterrents.
The Soft Fruit Technical Day has been taken on by NIAB EMR with the support of the East Malling Trust following the winding-down of AHDB Horticulture activities.
Prof. Mario Caccamo, managing director of NIAB EMR, said: “This event is an excellent opportunity for growers and agronomists to learn about the cutting-edge research happening at NIAB EMR and other research organisations to support the soft fruit industry.
“We are investing in newhorticultural science facilities to continue our world-leading research and are committed to working with industry to advance and strengthen production in the sector.”
There will also be a focus on projects dealing with the control of soft fruit pests including capsids, thrips, aphids and midges. Fungal disease projects will coverPhytophthora cactorumon strawberry, resistance to strawberry powdery mildew and management of Cladosporium fungal mould on raspberry.
Further information will be presented on year-round production of strawberry, use of biostimulants in soft fruit and recycling of coir substrate. The event will finish with an update on the most promising new selections and varieties to come out of the East Malling Strawberry Breeding Club.
The event will remain online again this year following record participation with the virtual session held during the pandemic in 2020.
Delegates can register for theirfree place on EventBriteor visithttps://www.emr.ac.uk/.
