EVALUATION OF RETAIN FOR STOP DROP CONTROL ON LIBERTY APPLE Begun in 1995 and continues to evaluate Retain in replicated trails on Liberty at the Snyder farm. Research includes the evaluation of optimum rates for extended storage life and drop reduction. Off farm trails were conducted on Staymen at 4 locations. Based on our research Retain received a full label for use in 1997. Over 10 North Jersey apple growers used this material in 1997. Support provided by Abbott Labs.
W. COWGILL, J. COMPTON, J. CLEMENTS

PEACH CULTIVAR EVALUATION
Evaluate advanced peach selections from the NJAES breeding program and other promising peach cultivars for adaptation to Northern New Jersey. The sustainability of the peach industry will depend on the identification and adoption of promising new peach cultivars. Trees are being evaluated for hardiness, disease resistance and bloom date. The selections are also being evaluated for productivity and fruit quality. Ernies Choice and Encore, both NJ selections have looked outstanding. New advanced selections of peento type peaches look promising for the specialty retail markets. Fruit Acres Stellar series and Flamin Fury series peach cultivars have been evaluated since 1992. Eight selections look outstanding. This project has been funded by NJARS and Snyder Farm Local Needs grants and fruit sales.
W. P. COWGILL, J. COMPTON, M. MALETTA, J. GROFFREDA, T. HAUSAMANN

PEACH NC-140 ROOTSTOCK EVALUATION
Established 1994. One of eight plantings in the north central region to evaluate new and improved peach rootstocks for commercial peach production. Nine peach rootstocks with 'Redhaven' as the scion cultivar are being grown under commercial production system conditions. Information to be gained includes the influence of the rootstocks on tree survival and disease susceptibility, tree size control, precocity, productivity, fruit size and crop value. In 1997 there were no significant differences in yield or growth as measured by trunk cross sectional area between rootstocks. Guardian Trees produced small fruit, less than 2 inches. Montclair rooted trees appear to be weaker inducing steep crotch angles. Supported by the NJ Peach council and Snyder Farm Local Needs grants
W. P. COWGILL, J.COMPTON, M. MALETTA, E. DURNER

CG30 APPLE ROOTSTOCK TRIAL, 1997
CG30 is a new semi dwarf apple rootstock from the Cornell/Geneva breeding program that is resistant to fireblight and of M26 size. Five cultivars on CG30 are being compared with the same five on M26 in a replicated randomized block experiment. Cultivars include Myra Red Fuji, Braeburn, Gala, Gingergold, and Jonagold
W.COWGILL, J. COMPTON

ALTERNATIVE TREE FRUIT CROPS FOR SUSTAINING THE TREE FRUIT
INDUSTRY

The following projects focus on the development of the apricot and sweet cherry as potential high value crops that could be utilized by North Jersey growers to supplement the production mix to increase profitability: