Cornell Scientists To Be Feted at Wine Grape Conference
June 6, 2022 After an impressive career spanning nearly 35 years, Dr. Wayne Wilcox will be awarded the society’s highest honor, the ASEV Merit Award. Wilcox dedicated his career to researching and understanding the various factors of fruit diseases and finding ways to manage those disease through practical control programs. He will be presenting the Merit Award presentation, “Molds, Mildews, and Rots: Bread and Butter to a Grape Pathologist.”
Always interested in fruit production, Wilcox began his research focus on the biology and management of fruit crop diseases in graduate school at the University of California, Davis. There, he received his bachelor of science degree in plant science as well as his master of science and doctorate degrees in plant pathology.
He joined the Department of Plant Pathology at Cornell University’s New York State Agricultural Experiment Station in 1984, working with tree fruit and berry crop growers. In 1994, he assumed the role of leading Cornell University’s grape pathology program, where he remained until his retirement in 2018.
Wayne Wilcox
“For me, one of my favorite things throughout my career was getting to interpret and share new findings with those who could benefit from them,” Wilcox says. “Growers have so many challenges to face, so it’s very rewarding when science and research can make them more manageable. I feel honored to be recognized with this award and look forward to my participation in the conference.”
Fermentation Expert
Also from Cornell, Senior Extension Associate Chris Gerling of Cornell AgriTech in Geneva, NY, will receive the ASEV Extension Distinction Award. Gerling will present “Of Course There’s Jalapeño in It: Enology Extension in the Craft Beverage Era.”
Gerling works with the craft beverage industry to create educational programs that support the growth and improved quality of premium wines, ciders, and distilled spirits. He organizes and conducts workshops and seminars that focus on production and analytical techniques for farm-based beverages. He manages the Vinification & Brewing Technology Laboratory, where fermentations are conducted for research projects and industry trials.
Chris Gerling
He also manages the Cornell Craft Beverage Analysis Laboratory, where products may be submitted for troubleshooting, routine analysis, or sensory appraisal.
“I am excited to discuss the evolution of craft beverages and how we can share knowledge and experience between products,” Gerling says. “ASEV provides an important forum for extension specialists to share best practices, and I am looking forward to sharing what we’ve learned here on the East Coast with those practicing Extension in the West.”
Mapping Vineyards
The ASEV Honorary Research Lecture, “Spatial Revelations: Monitoring, Imaging and Mapping to Characterize Vineyard Environments,” will be delivered by Dr. Pat Bowen, Honorary Research Associate for Agriculture and Agri-Food Canada. ASEV annually honors a research lecturer who is actively involved in scientific research and has a current national or international reputation in his or her field of research.
Bowen’s current research efforts are centered on the ecophysiology of wine grapes. She uses geographic information system (GIS) tools, sensor networks, and aerial imaging to characterize spatial variations in vineyard environments. By doing this, she is able to inform approaches to precision vineyard management. Her GIS work has been used in British Columbia to describe local terroirs, guide sustainable management, and define appellations.
Pat Bowen
The 2022 Best Paper Award winners also will be presented at the conference. The winning viticulture paper is “Field Performance of Winegrape Rootstocks and Fumigation during Establishment of a Chardonnay Vineyard in Washington,” by Katherine E. East of Michigan State University, Benton Harbor; Inga A. Zasada of USDA ARS, Oregon; Julie Tarara of Ste. Michelle Wine Estates, Washington, and Michelle M. Moyer of Washington State University, Prosser.
The authors conclude that incorporating plant-parasitic nematode management as part of the process of vineyard replanting and fumigation is not an effective long-term strategy for suppressing M. hapla.
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