SPARC

Heat Mitigation: Sunburn and Fruit Coloring Webinar
2026-02-18 09:00 - 10:00 UTC
Heat Mitigation: Sunburn and Fruit Coloring Webinar
February 18, 2026 9:00 AM- 10:00 AM PST / noon – 1:00 PM EST
Hot summer and full temperatures can reduce fruit quality and orchard profitability. In this webinar, we will discuss the physiology behind sunburn, how heat contributes to poor fruit coloring, and best management strategies to mitigate these issues to maximize fruit coloring in hot years.

Dr. Lee Kalcsits is an Associate Professor of tree fruit physiology in the Department of Horticulture at the Washington State University Tree Fruit Research and Extension Center in Wenatchee, Washington, USA. He serves as the Endowed Chair of Tree Fruit Environmental Physiology and Programmatic Lead at the WSU Wenatchee Tree Fruit Research and Extension Center. His research program works towards understanding the physiological interactions between environment, horticultural management and genetics of apple, pear, and sweet cherry.
Dr. Lailiang Cheng is a professor of fruit crops in the Horticulture Section of the School of Integrative Plant Science at Cornell University. He works on tree mineral nutrition in relation to rootstock and nutrient supply for effective orchard nutrient management to improve tree productivity and fruit quality and reduce fruit physiological disorders.
This meeting is part of a webinar series hosted by the Northeast Extension Fruit Consortium. Additional details and registration ($10 registration fee) are available here.

Heat Mitigation: Sunburn and Fruit Coloring at the Northeast Extension Fruit Consortium (Webinar)
2026-02-18 12:00 - 13:00 (America/New_York) | Virtual
February 18, 2026 noon – 1:00pm
Title: Heat Mitigation: Sunburn and Fruit Coloring (no pesticide credits)
Speaker Bio: Dr. Lee Kalcsits is an Associate Professor of tree fruit physiology in the Department of Horticulture at the Washington State University Tree Fruit Research and Extension Center in Wenatchee, Washington, USA. He serves as the Endowed Chair of Tree Fruit Environmental Physiology and Programmatic Lead at the WSU Wenatchee Tree Fruit Research and Extension Center. His research program works towards understanding the physiological interactions between environment, horticultural management and genetics of apple, pear, and sweet cherry.
Dr. Lailiang Cheng is a professor of fruit crops in the Horticulture Section of the School of Integrative Plant Science at Cornell University. He works on tree mineral nutrition in relation to rootstock and nutrient supply for effective orchard nutrient management to improve tree productivity and fruit quality and reduce fruit physiological disorders.
Description: Hot summer and full temperatures can reduce fruit quality and orchard profitability. In this webinar, we will discuss the physiology behind sunburn, how heat contributes to poor fruit coloring, and best management strategies to mitigate these issues to maximize fruit coloring in hot years.
Learn more about the webinar series here: https://www.umass.edu/agriculture-food-environment/fruit/news-events/northeast-extension-fruit-consortium
Register here: https://na.eventscloud.com/ereg/index.php?eventid=866560&

The Impacts of Weather on Pome Fruit Quality and Storability (Virtual Orchard Meetup Series)
2026-02-27 10:30 - 12:00 UTC | Virtual
These meetups will provide an opportunity to discuss challenges related to heat stress in summer and fall, identify opportunities to improve fruit quality, and remain profitable. They are led by a panel of scientists and tree fruit growers from across the United States and Canada. Join the conversation!
This meetup will include an overview of the SPARC project from the project director Dr. Lee Kalcsits (Dept. of Horticulture, Washington State University) and Dr. Sonia Hall (Center for Sustaining Agriculture and Natural Resources, Washington State University). In addition there will be a panel discussion with Garrett Henry (Douglas Fruit, WA), David Machial (Fairview Orchards, BC), Kirk Kemp (Algoma Orchards, Ontario), Scott Henning (Lake Ontario Fruit, NY), Leighton Rice (Rice Fruit Company, PA), Chad Wimmers (Mount Adams Orchards, OR), Jamie Kober (Riveridge Produce, MI).
Register Here: https://wsu.zoom.us/meeting/register/Xu7nO7sxSzufIOu_oED51A#/registration

SPARC/WSU Tree Fruit Heat School
2026-03-11 08:30 - 14:30 UTC
The WSU Tree Fruit Heat School will focus on understanding and managing heat-related challenges in apple and pear production. The program brings together research-based insights and applied discussions on sunburn physiology and mitigation, red color development in apples and pears, and the impacts of heat on postharvest storage and fruit quality. Each session will include an expert presentation, followed by a panel discussion with panelists from across the US.
This event will be held in-person at Wenatchee Valley College, with in-person regional learning hubs in Hood River (OR), Plattsburgh (NY), Highland (NY), Waterport (NY), Hart (MI), Biglerville (PA), or fully virtual through ZOOM. Registration is required for a meal to be provided for in-person registrants.
The event runs from 8:30 am to 2:30 pm PST (11:30 am to 5:30 pm EST) on March 11th, 2026.
Registration will close March on 2nd, 2026.
Register for this event here: https://forms.office.com/r/wHfRkt7Fjj

Agenda
8:30 AM PST/11:30 AM EST: Welcome and housekeeping
8:45 AM PST: Sunburn Physiology
Lee Kalcsits, Washington State University
9:30 AM PST: Sunburn Mitigation
Panel Discussion
10:15 AM PST: Break
10:45 AM PST: Red color physiology
Lailiang Cheng, Cornell University
11:30 AM PST: Improving red color coverage and reducing blush for apple and pear
Panel Discussion
12:15 PM PST: Break
1:00 PM PST: Heat effects on postharvest storage and fruit quality
Carolina Torres, Washington State University, and Kelsey Galimba, Oregon State University
1:45 PM PST: Historical and future patterns in sunburn risk
Kirti Rajagopalan, Washington State University
2:15 PM PST: Closing remarks and survey

This work is supported by the USDA National Institute of Food and Agriculture – Specialty Crop Research Initiative project “Preparing U.S. Pome Fruit Production for Extreme Temperatures in a Changing Climate” (2024-51181-43289; Accession #1032988)

Virtual Orchard Meetup Webinar Series: Physiological Impacts, Forecasting, and Monitoring Tools
2026-06-11 16:00 - 17:30 UTC | Virtual
The team is again partnering with our Canadian colleagues to host the 2026 International Orchard Meetup Series, following on our previous meetup in February. Now we will go deeper into tools available to help you prepare for, track and manage climate stress in your orchards.
Managing Climate Stress in Fruit Production: Sun Injury, Ripening Disorders, and Post-Harvest Quality in North American Orchards.

JUNE 11, 2026 4:00-5:30 pm PT: Physiological Impacts, Forecasting, and Monitoring Tools
JUNE 18, 2026 4:00-5:30 pm PT: Mitigation Strategies, Timing, and Tradeoffs
JUNE 25, 2026 4:00-5:30 pm PT: Managing Fruit After Heat Exposure: Maturity, Storage, and Disorders

Register at this link (opens in a new window)
Each meetup will include short presentations to start, followed by open conversation between growers, presenters and other participants, so please come ready to ask about the issues you are dealing with. Look forward to seeing you at the meetups!

Virtual Orchard Meetup Webinar: Mitigation Strategies, Timing, and Tradeoffs
2026-06-18 16:00 - 17:30 UTC | Virtual

Virtual Orchard Meetup Webinar: Managing Fruit After Heat Exposure: Maturity, Storage, and Disorders
2026-06-25 16:00 - 17:30 UTC | Virtual
