Research | Department of Biosystems & Agricultural Engineering

Southwest Michigan fruit update – June 22, 2021

Published on June 22, 2021
Sweet cherry harvest is underway. Other small fruits are harvesting in southern parts of the region.

Northwest Michigan apple maturity report – September 20, 2023

Published on September 20, 2023
Honeycrisp harvest has begun across northwest Michigan. There is variability in firmness and brix levels, likely due in part to excess rain in some regions and no rain in other areas.

Northwest Michigan apple maturity report – September 7 2022

Published on September 7, 2022
Harvest is underway for early varieties of apples at this time: Gingergold, Zestar, SweeTango, Jersey Mac, PaulaRed. Fruit quality is excellent.

The Michigan Tree Fruit Commission: Partnering with MSU to improve research, outreach

Published on January 10, 2018
Tree fruit industries heavily rely on public and industry support, and banded together along with MSU to find a solution to keep the tree fruit industry competitive and sustainable.

Michigan vegetable crop report – May 5, 2021

Published on May 5, 2021
Rollercoaster weather slowed planting progress this week.

Navigating temperature and timing challenges in garden mum production

Published on August 12, 2025
From premature budding to delayed flowering, find out how temperature extremes can impact fall garden chrysanthemum production and what growers can do to produce high-quality crops on schedule.

Center for PFAS Research Faculty Spotlight: Pouyan Nejadhashemi

Published on December 1, 2021
Dr. Nejadhashemi leads an interdisciplinary research team focused on addressing water resource problems including water quantity and quality.

Southwest Michigan field crops update – May 22, 2025

Published on May 22, 2025
Wheat is heading out and just starting to flower on some acres. Cool weather slowed down corn and soybean progress.

Southwest Michigan field crops update – August 4, 2022

Published on August 4, 2022
Disease and insect pressure remain low as corn and soybean progress through pod setting and grain fill stages. If timely rains keep us out of droughty conditions, the crops should continue to thrive this month.

Michigan hop scouting report for May 11, 2015

Published on May 13, 2015
Hop growers are stringing hopyards around Michigan and preparing to train bines in the coming weeks.

Tips for growing and maintaining cut flowers in your garden

Published on June 13, 2025
Learn how to grow healthy cut flowers and keep them blooming with key maintenance techniques like pinching, deadheading and support.

Southwest Michigan greenhouse bus tour offered at 2014 Greenhouse Growers Expo

Published on October 15, 2014
A bus tour on Dec. 11, 2014, will visit retail, wholesale and propagation greenhouse operations and a leading supplier of growing media.

Southwest Michigan fruit update – Aug. 18, 2020

Published on August 18, 2020
A derecho blew across the region last Monday, leaving damage in its wake. The most affected agricultural areas appear to be western and southern Berrien County.

What bug chewed on my plants last night?

Published on June 27, 2024
Under cover of darkness, a variety of animals might chew on your leaves. So how do you know who to blame and what to do about it?

Southwest Michigan field crops update – June 30, 2022

Published on June 30, 2022
Crops in non-irrigated fields are showing signs of water stress with average rainfall totals across south-central and southwest Michigan of only a quarter of an inch in the past two weeks.