Mission:
The mission of the Physiology and Pathology of Tree Fruits Research Unit is to expand the knowledge of diciduous tree fruit production systems in the areas of plant disease and fruit quality. Our goal is to provide information that 1) enhances production practices that manage tree and fruit disease organisms; 2) provides taxonomic tools to identify pathogens of import/export concern; and 3) characterizes factors regulating development and maintenance of fruit market quality. While portions of the location's research focus complement activities in other research units, the location's expertise and programmatic focus in the areas of deciduous tree fruit disease characterization and control, and fruit developmental biology and market quality are unique to the agency.