My research is focused on developing sustainable production methods for berry crops. A major focus is on environmental modifications, primarily using high and low tunnels, to produce tender crops (e.g. blackberries) in colder climates, and to extend the season into fall for strawberries and raspberries. Managing weeds is a major challenge for berry growers and using non-herbicidal approaches (such as integrating cover crops and reduce tillage planting systems) is a significant component of my research program. Also, using cultural practices to reduce damage from pests (e.g. black root rot, Phytophthora root rot, tarnished plant bug) is another facet of my research. Finally, I am interested in better understanding some of the basic physiological responses of berry crops to the environment and developing ways to improve plant growth and productivity.
Outreach and Extension Focus
I believe that we have a responsibility to help educate all citizens (not just commercial growers) about issues that affect their lives. In my case, this education involves issues of food choice, sustainability, food safety and food quality. One of my professional objectives is to be a credible resource on these broader issues, in addition to developing a high level of expertise in berry crops. The audience for my extension program is national. Many of my presentations are given to out-of-state audiences, many phone calls come from out-of-state, and the printed materials and electronic resources are written for a regional audience. Berry crops are the most widely grown of all fruit crops, so the audience is dispersed throughout the entire northeastern United States and Canada. In addition to commercial berry crops, I have worked on developing Good Agricultural Practices materials to improve food safety on the farm. I also attempt to allocate a portion of my outreach efforts to non-commercial audiences, both youth and adult. Occasionally I present and consult internationally. I strive to inform all audiences about the many issues that affect the food system.
Selected Journal Publications
View publications on Google Scholar.
- Stockton, D.G., Hesler, S., Wallingford, A.K., Leskey, T.C., McDermott, L., Elsensohn, J.E., Riggs, D. I., Pritts, M., Loeb, G.M. 2020. Factors affecting the implementation of exclusion netting to control Drosophila suzukii on primocane raspberry. Accepted for publication, 18 April 2020, Crop Protection, article ref no. JCRP_105191.
- Pritts, M.P and T.M. Sjulin. 2019. Strawberries: A case study of how evolving market expectations impact sustainability. In: Lang, G. A. (ed.), Achieving sustainable cultivation of temperate zone tree fruits and berries Volume 2: Case studies, Burleigh Dodds Science Publishing, Cambridge, UK.
- Gannett, M., M.P. Pritts and J. Lehmann. 2019. Soil amendments affect soil health indicators and crop yield in perennial strawberry. HortTechnology: 29: 179–188
- Samtani, J.B., C.R. Rom, H. Friedrich, S.A. Fennimore, C.E. Finn, A. Petran, R.W. Wallace, M.P. Pritts, G. Fernandez, C. Chase, C. Kubota, and B. Bergefurd. 2019. The Status and Future of the Strawberry Industry in the United States. HortTechnology: 29:11-24
- Pritts, M. P. (2019). Niels Ebbesen Hansen: A man with a vision for the unfathomable. Journal of the American Pomological Society. 73:110-114.
- Pritts, M. P. (2019). The Status and Future of the Strawberry Industry in the United States. HortTechnology. 29:11-24.
- Pritts, M. P. (2017). Hands-On Horticulture: A course for building enrollments in plant science courses. HortTechnology. 27:704-709.
- Pritts, M. P., & Pritts, A. A. (2017). George M. Darrow: Dean of Small Fruits. Journal of the American Pomological Society. 71:ar 8, 59-61.
- Harbut, R., Pritts, M. P., & Cheng, L. (2016). Changes in morphological, biochemical and physiological traits in strawberry in the northeastern United States during one hundred years of breeding. J. Amer. Pomol. Soc. 70:194-206. Journal of the American Pomological Society. 70:194-206.
- Gallagher, E. J., Mudge, K. W., Pritts, M. P., & DeGloria, S. D. (2014). Growth and development of Illini Hardy blackberry (Rubus subgenus Eubatus Focke) under shaded systems. Agroforestry Systems.
- Pritts, M. P., & Park, T. D. (2013). Proposed Learning Outcomes for Four-year Horticulture Programs in the United States. HortTechnology. 23:237-240.
- Acuna-Maldonado, L., & Pritts, M. P. (2013). Seasonal patterns of carbohydrate and nitrogen accumulation and depletion in strawberry are affected by fruiting but not day neutrality. Journal of the American Pomological Society. 67:95-103.
- Pritts, M. P. (2012). Managing farming systems, landscapes, pests and pathogens to improve consumer acceptance of berries. Acta Horticulturae. 926:579-585.
- Maldonado, L. A., & Pritts, M. P. (2009). Carbon and nitrogen reserves in perennial strawberry affect plant growth and yield. Journal of the American Society for Horticultural Science. 133:735-742.
