UNIVERSITY PARK, Pa. -- 1952 was a leap year. The Korean War was raging, the New York Yankees beat the Brooklyn Dodgers in the World Series, Dwight Eisenhower was elected president, birth control pills were introduced and the first hydrogen bomb was detonated.

Many Pennsylvanians might have missed the small headlines that announced Penn State's purchase of land and facilities for $1 from local grape growers for the Erie County Agricultural Experimental Station, 15 miles east of Erie along the shore of Lake Erie. But it was an important development for the state's grape industry all the same. Over the years, grape and other fruit research at the station has resulted in many significant findings and improved growing practices.

The 43-acre facility, under the direction of manager John Griggs, will hold a modest ceremony and field day Aug. 3 to mark its anniversary. Now called the Lake Erie Regional Grape Research and Extension Center, it conducts research on grapes under conditions similar to those on farms where the research results might be applied.

The field laboratory is part of the research division of Penn State's College of Agricultural Sciences. In addition to providing site-specific conditions for research, the facility increases opportunities for growers, consumers and students to observe experiments and to consult with scientists. Extension specialists apply experimental findings to local conditions and, in turn, make suggestions to scientists about new research needs.

Penn State research involvement in Erie County dates back to 1918, when a field laboratory was established at Girard to study onions and potatoes. In 1937, the Erie County Horticultural Society established a field laboratory in North East to continue fruit research on private lands in the county.

Nine years later, an organization of fruit growers known as the Erie County Agricultural Research Corporation purchased 20 acres of land, and on July 28, 1948, the Erie County Field Research Laboratory was opened. The lab, which provided an area for conducting fruit research, was purchased by Penn State four years later.

Because of its proximity to Lake Erie, Erie County enjoys climatic and geographical features favorable to fruit production. Although livestock and other crops also are produced there, the fruit industry is perhaps the region's most prominent agricultural asset. Erie County is the primary producer of grapes in Pennsylvania. Local grape crops are sold as fresh fruit in season and are processed as juices, jellies, jams and wines.

Some of the research highlights of the Lake Erie Regional Grape Research and Extension Center include:

--A long-term study showing that when organic matter in the soil is properly maintained, Concord grapevines need little or no fertilizer.

--The Single Curtain Cordon training system for Concord grapes.

--Bench-grafting studies with numerous rootstocks and several vinifera cultivars that have increased the percentage of grafting success from less than 20 percent to more than 70 percent. The field laboratory was instrumental in introducing the Penn Concord strain.

--Entomological studies on grapes that have focused on the biology and importance of the grape berry moth, grape leafhopper, grape cane girdler, rose chafer, Japanese beetle, redbanded leafroller, grape erineum mite and European red mite. Chemical controls were developed and incorporated into an effective spray program for control of these pests.

--In-depth studies into the biology and life cycle patterns of the eastern grape berry moth that yielded controls of this primary grape pest.

--Studies are currently underway that focus on the resistance of the grape berry moth to the insecticide Carbaryl.

--Disease management studies.

--Trials on the effects of compost applications to vineyard floors.

--Surveys to monitor the grapevine decline occurring in some areas of Pennsylvania and New York.

--Development of an expert system for grape culture (called VITIS) that can be accessed by a grower or extension agent via personal computer to obtain information on standard cultural practices or to assist in solving a special problem.

--Studies on the grape cane gallmaker to determine its biology and impact on Concord grapes. A statewide survey of grape root borer distribution and seasonality is being conducted because this insect may pose a substantial threat to developing viticultural areas in southeastern Pennsylvania.

--Experiments to control the eastern grape leafhopper and grape berry moth are in progress on Concord grapes.

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EDITORS: John Griggs can be reached at 814-725-4601 or e-mail jfg6@psu.edu.

Contact: Jeff Mulhollem jjm29@psu.edu 814-863-2719 814-865-1068 fax #207