James Spires - profile information

Research

In my research program, I am attempting to address needs of current and future fruit growers in Alabama and the southeastern U.S. Specifically, my research is focused on improving the sustainability and efficiency of selected fruit production systems in our region. The fruit industry in Alabama is unique in that many different fruit crops are grown commercially on small acreage farms and marketed through local markets, and there are few fruit producers marketing through wholesale markets. This provides many opportunities to impact the fruit industry in Alabama, because there is room for growth and many different fruit crops perform well. It is an exciting time for small acreage farmers due to successful initiatives to promote locally grown fruits and vegetables, and the subsequent success of farmer’s markets. In addition, many large grocery chains are trying to capitalize on the increasing demand for locally grown produce, and previously closed outlets are becoming available for Alabama fruit and vegetable growers. My program is designed to determine best management practices for selected fruit crops with potential for growth in Alabama. The bulk of our research is with satsuma mandarin (Citrus unshiu), kiwifruit, and blueberry. Current research on satsuma mandarin pertains to evaluating new rootstock and scion selections for cold tolerance and overall performance, and determining the effects of fertilizer rates and application frequency on fruit yield, fruit quality, and alternate bearing. Blueberry research has been focused on evaluating cultivar performance on relatively high soil pH and the efficacy of alternative mulches. Kiwifruit research pertains to determining best management practices for various production aspects of Actinidia chinensis in the southeastern U.S., including post harvest and consumer acceptance of ‘AU Golden Sunshine’ and ‘AU Golden Dragon’.