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Matthew Whiting

PhD, Whole-tree physiology, Washington State University M.Sc., Postharvest physiology, University of Guelph B.Sc., Horticultural Science and Business, University of Guelph
Matthew Whiting
Professor, Tree Fruit Horticulture 509-786-9260 South Building 24106 N Bunn Rd. 

Areas of Interest

  • Whole-tree physiology
  • High efficiency orchard systems
  • Incorporating automation/mechanization in fruit production systems
  • Environmental control of fruit quality
  • Pollination biology/artificial pollination systems

Educational Background

  • PhD, Whole-tree physiology, Washington State University
  • M.Sc., Postharvest physiology, University of Guelph
  • B.Sc., Horticultural Science and Business, University of Guelph

Teaching Responsibilities

  • HORT 508 – Research Orientation and Presentation
  • HORT 509/510 – Horticulture Seminar
  • HORT 421/521 – Fruit Crops Management
The 80th annual Cherry Institute held in Yakima, Wash., on Jan. 13, 2023. (TJ Mullinax/Good Fruit Grower)

Current students

  • Sarah Gruntmeir, MS student (Robotic pollination, intra-cluster variability in apple fruit quality)
  • Haydn Lenz, MS student (Mechanically-assisted harvest systems for tree fruit, sweet cherry and cider apple)
  • Jon Magby, PhD candidate (Sweet cherry hardiness/dormancy)
  • Juan Munguia, MS student (Strategies for reducing Calcium-related disorders in apple)

Former students

  • Brent Arnoldussen, PhD 2021
    Dissertation title: “Plant-based dispersions are a novel class of sprayable frost protectants for fruit crops
  • Katie Taylor, M.S. 2019
    Thesis title: “Advancing artificial pollination systems in sweet cherry”
  • Probir Das, MS in Ag. 2016
    Thesis title:  “Precision pollination in tree fruit”
  • Jacqui Gordón, MS 2016
    Thesis title:  “The effects of mechanical pruning on yield, fruit quality and vegetative growth in apple and sweet cherry
  • Nadia Valverdi, MS  2015
    Thesis title: “The role of near-harvest irrigation on sweet cherry fruit quality”
  • Nathan Brugnone, MS in Ag., 2015
    Thesis title: “Development of a suspension media for tree fruit pollen
  • Lu Zhang, PhD 2014.
    Dissertation title:  “The pistil’s role in determining sweet cherry fruit set”
  • Suzanne Niemann, MS 2014
    Thesis title:  “The efficacy of a solid set canopy delivery system for applying plant growth regulators in sweet cherry and apple
  • Antonia Sanchez-Labbe, MS 2013
    Thesis title:  “Optimizing establishment and maintenance of sweet cherry trained to the Upright Fruiting Offshoots architecture
  • Erick Smith, PhD, 2010.
    Dissertation title:  “Abscission, storability, and fruit quality of mechanically harvested fresh market quality stem-free sweet cherries”
  • Rolando Martin, MS, 2008
    Thesis title:  “Causes of, and practical strategies for, reducing sweet cherry polycarpy
  • Brett Adams, MS, 2008
    Thesis title: “A sweet cherry planting system comparison involving virus effects with multiple genotypes
  • Alejandro Antunez, Ph.D., 2006
    Dissertation title:  “The impact of deficit irrigation strategies on sweet cherry physiology and spectral reflectance
  • Olivia Lenahan, M.S., 2005.
    Thesis title:  “Crop load manipulation in sweet cherry: Physiological effects and horticultural benefits of chemical thinning and gibberellic acid