Blueberry Pollination Field Day – May 17
Rufus Isaacs
Entomology

All members of the fruit industry are invited to attend a Spring Pollination Update on May 17 at the Trevor Nichols Research Complex. Our focus will be on blueberries, but the information should be of value to any growers interested in maintaining an effective pollination strategy on their fruit farm. The meeting will be from 1:00 to 5:00 PM, with registration starting at 12.30.

Topics to be covered during an indoor session will be the following: h oneybees and blueberry pollination, use of bumblebees for blueberry pollination, experiences with Osmia bees in cherry orchards, cultural practices and gibberellic acid to improve blueberry fruit set, and an update on native bee research in Michigan blueberry.

In outdoor demonstrations at our research blueberries, the presenters will talk about the following issues: assessing honeybee hive strength and health, bumble bee quad demonstration, identifying pollinators and assessing fruit set, and using native plants to attract bees and other beneficial insects. Presenters at the meeting will include MSU scientists Zachary Huang, Eric Hanson, Rufus Isaacs, Nikki Rothwell and John Wolfe from Koppert Biological who produce bumblebees for pollination.

A small registration fee of $10 per person is being charged for this meeting to cover expenses. Please make check payable to: Michigan State University and send to Carlos Garcia-Salazar, Ottawa County MSU Extension, 333 Clinton Street, Grand Haven, MI 49417, before May 10.

The Trevor Nichols Station is located south of Holland, 3 miles east of I-196 on M-89 and west of Fennville ( 124 th Ave between 63 rd and 62 nd Streets). Questions? Please contact: Carlos Garcia-Salazar in the Ottawa Co. Extension Office at (616) 846-8250.

For more information, see the brochure at: http://www.ipm.msu.edu/cat06fruit/pdf/PollinationDay2006.pdf