Scottish soft-fruit growers must not be complacent and should remain on the lookout for the Spotted Wing Drosophila (SWD)during the 2014 season, despite the fact the pest has not yet been detected north of the border.
Scientists at the James Hutton Institute emphasised this point at the annual Soft Fruit Winter Meeting organised by the Scottish Society for Crop Research (SSCR) and Bulrush Horticulture in Dundee today (20 February).
The SWD fruit fly was found in small numbers on six UK soft-fruit farms in 2013, according to a national monitoring process
Speaking in Dundee, James Hutton Institute researcher Gaynor Malloch discussed identification and trapping methods, highlighting how monitoring, good practice and crop hygiene are key to dealing with this threat.
Since 2013 a team, led by soft-fruit researcher Alison Dolan at the James Hutton Institute, has conducted an SWD monitoring project in Scotland, funded jointly by the Scottish Government and the Horticultural Development Company (HDC).
Also at the meeting, James Hutton Institute soft-fruit geneticist Dr Julie Graham discussed selective breeding techniques to prevent factors that lead to consumer disappointment such as poor flavour, limited shelf-life, short availability and other quality compromises that, together with high prices, discourage repeat purchases.
Blueberry researcher Dr Susan McCallum spoke about the potential for developing a successful UK blueberry industry, while Nikki Jennings, soft-fruit breeder at Mylnefield Research Services, gave an update from the UK Raspberry Breeding Consortium programme.
The meeting was the second time the SSCR has joined forces with Bulrush Horticulture to provide a one-day event which includes scientific and soft-fruit industry presentations as well as trade stands.
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