Location
Stockbridge Hall 15
Wesley Autio holding an apple.

Wes Autio grew up in a rural/tourist part of western Maine and attended the University of Maine for two years. He received his B.S. degree in Horticulture from Virginia Tech and his M.S. and Ph.D. degrees in Plant & Soil Sciences (Postharvest Pomology) from UMass. In 1985, he joined the faculty at the University of Massachusetts. Until recently, he served as the UMass Fruit Program Leader. He regularly interacts with tree-fruit farmers and the many individuals interested in tree fruit in the landscape. His research focuses on apple and peach rootstocks, controlling growth apple trees with mechanical and hormonal approaches, and chemical thinning of peaches. He teaches courses in pruning fruit crops for undergraduates and in statistical analysis for graduate students. Because of his extensive experience with experimental design and statistical analysis, he is involved with number research projects and serves on numerous graduate committees with the sole purpose of providing guidance in design and analysis. From 2012-2021, he served as Director of the newly re-configured Stockbridge School of Agriculture. In that capacity, he successfully led efforts to strengthen the Stockbridge School's educational, research, and outreach programs.

Curriculum Vitae

Emeritus Professor
Stockbridge School of Agriculture

Education

Ph.D.  University of Massachusetts, Plant & Soil Sciences, 1985.

M.S.  University of Massachusetts, Plant & Soil Sciences, 1982.

B.S.  Virginia Polytechnic Institute & State University, Horticulture, (summa cum laude), 1979.
University of Maine, Orono, September, 1975 to May, 1977.
Lake Region High School, Naples, Maine, (valedictorian), 1975.

EXPERIENCE

Emeritus Professor, 2021 to present

Director, Stockbridge School of Agriculture, 2012 to 2021.

Full/Associate/Assistant Professor of Pomology, 1985 to 2021.

Extension Tree Fruit Specialist, University of Massachusetts, 1985 to 2021.

Coordinator of the Sustainable Food & Farming A.S. Program, 1989 to 2014.

REFEREED JOURNAL ARTICLES (106 BEFORE 2017)

  • Cowgill, W.P. Jr., W.R. Autio, E.E. Hoover, R.P. Marini, and P.A. Domoto. 2017. NC-140 Multi-State Research Project: Improving economic and environmental sustainability in tree-fruit production through changes in rootstock use. J. Amer. Pomological Soc. 71(1):34-46.
  • Autio, W., T. Robinson, B. Black, S. Blatt, D. Cochran, W. Cowgill, C. Hampson, E. Hoover, G. Lang, D. Miller, I. Minas, R Parra Quezada, and M. Stasiak. 2017. Budagovsky, Geneva, Pillnitz, and Malling apple rootstocks affect Honeycrisp performance of the first five years of the 2010 NC-140 Honeycrisp Apple Rootstock Trial. J. Amer. Pomological Soc. 71(3):149-166.
  • Autio, W., T. Robinson, B. Black, R. Crassweller, E. Fallahi, M. Parker, R Parra Quezada, and D. Wolfe. 2017. Budagovsky, Geneva, Pillnitz, and Malling apple rootstocks affect Fuji performance of the first five years of the 2010 NC-140 Fuji Apple Rootstock Trial. J. Amer. Pomological Soc. 71(3):167-182.
  • Wong, K.M., E.A. Decker, W.R. Autio, K. Toong, G. DiStefano, and A.J. Kinchla. 2017. Utilizing mushrooms to reduce overall sodium in taco filling Using Physical and Sensory Evaluation. J. Food Science DOI: 10.1111/1750-3841.13838.
  • Etemadi, F., M. Hashemi, R.A. Shureshjani, and W.R. Autio. 2017. Application of data envelopment analysis to assess performance efficiency of eight faba bean varieties. Agronomy Journal. doi:10.2134/agronj2016.10.0617.
  • Marini, R.P., R.M. Crassweller, W. Autio, R. Moran, T.L. Robinson, J. Cline, D. Wolfe, and R. Parra-Quezada. 2017. The interactive effects of early season temperatures, crop density, and rootstock average fruit weight of 'Golden Delicious' apples. Acta Horticulturae 1177:189-194.
  • Wong, K.M., M.G. Corradini, W.R. Autio, and A.J. Kinchla. 2018. Sodium reduction strategies through use of meat extenders (white button mushrooms vs. textured soy) in beef patties. Food Science & Nutrition 2018;00:1-13. https://doi.org/10.1002/fsn3.824.
  • Reighard, G.L., W. Bridges, D. Archbold, A. Atucha, W. Autio, T. Beckman, B. Black, D. Chavez, E. Coneva, K. Day, M. Kushad, R.S. Johnson, T. Lindstrom, J. Lordan, I. Minas, D. Ouellette, M. Parker, R. Pokharel, T. Robinson, J. Schupp, M. Warmund, and D. Wolfe. 2018. Rootstock performance in the 2009 NC-140 peach trial across 11 states. Acta Horticulturae 1228:181-186.
  • Zandvakili, OR, AV Barker, M Hashemi, F Etemadi, WR Autio, and S Weis.  2019.  Growth and nutrient accumulation of lettuce under different regimes of nitrogen fertilization.  J. Plant Nutrition https://doi.org/10.1080/01904167.2019.1617313.
  • Zandvakili, OR, AV Barker, M Hashemi, F Etemadi, and W Autio.  2019.  Comparisons of commercial organic and chemical fertilizer solutions on growth and composition of lettuce.  J. Plant Nutrition https://doi.org/10.1080/01904167.2019.1589505.
  • Ghostlaw, T, W Autio, M Corradini, and A Kinchla.  2020.  Impact of various postharvest wash water conditions on the performance of peracetic acid against Escherichia coli O157:H7 over time.  Food Control.  In press https://doi.org/10.1016/j.foodcont.2019.106891.
  • Reighard, GL, W Bridges Jr., D Archbold, A Atucha, W Autio, T Beckman, B Black, D Chavez, E Coneva, K Day, M Kushad, RS Johnson, T Lindstrom, J. Lordan, I Minas, D Oulette, ML Parker, R Pokharel, TL Robinson, J Schupp, M Warmund, and D Wolfe.  2020.  Nine-year rootstock performance of the NC-140 Redhaven Peach Trial across 13 states.  J. Amer. Pomol. Soc.  ACCEPTED FOR PUBLICATION.
  • Burcham, DC, WR Autio, K James, Y Modarres-Sadeghi, and B Kane.  2020.  Effect of pruning type and severity on vibration properties and mass of Senegal mahogany (Khaya senegalensis) and rain tree (Samanea saman).  Trees.  ACCEPTED FOR PUBLICATION.

NON-REFEREED PUBLICATIONS (274 BEFORE 2017)

  • Cowgill, W., J. Clements, and W. Autio.  2017. Training and pruning apples, the basics.  Fruit Notes 82(1):8-14. Horticultural News 97(1):8-14.
  • Autio, W., J. Krupa, and J. Clements.  2017.  Performance of Honeycrisp apple trees on several Budagovsky, Cornell-Geneva, and Pillnitz rootstocks, An update on the Massachusetts planting of the 2010 NC-140 Apple Rootstock Trial. Fruit Notes 82(2):1-4. Horticultural News 97(2):1-4.
  • Autio, W., J. Krupa, and J. Clements.  2017.  Rootstock influence on Redhaven peach performance, An update on the Massachusetts planting of the 2009 NC-140 Peach Rootstock Trial. Fruit Notes 82(2):6-8. Horticultural News 97(2):6-8.
  • Cowgill, W., J. Clements, and W. Autio.  2017.  Branching young apple trees with plant growth regulators. Fruit Notes 82(3):6-10. Horticultural News 97(3):6-10.
  • Autio, W., T. Robinson, B. Black, R. Crassweller, E. Fallahi, M. Parker, R. Parra Quezada, and D. Wolfe.  2017.  2016 Progress Report -- Budagovsky, Geneva, Pillnitz, and Malling apple rootstocks affect Fuji performance over the first six years of the 2010 NC-140 Fuji Apple Rootstock Trial.  Compact Fruit Tree.  50(1):20-23.
  • Autio, W., T. Robinson, S. Blatt, D. Cochran, W. Cowgill, C. Hampson, E. Hoover, G. Lang, R. Parra Quezada, and M. Stasiak.  2017.  Budagovsky, Geneva, Pillnitz, and Malling apple rootstocks affect Honeycrisp performance over the first six years of the 2010 NC-140 Honeycrisp Apple Rootstock Trial.  Compact Fruit Tree. 50(2):23-27.
  • Cowgill, W., M. Muehlbauer, W. Autio, and J. Clements. 2017. Comparison of the effects of ten Geneva rootstocks and M.9 on Modi apple trees in New Jersey. Fruit Notes 82(4):1-3; Horticultural News 97(4):1-3.
  • Clements, J., W.R. Autio, M. Muehlbauer, and W. Cowgill. 2018. Tree size and fruit yield in 2017 of Honeycrisp and Fuji apple trees in the 2014 NC-140 Rootstock Trials in Massachusetts and New Jersey. Fruit Notes 83(1):20-25; Horticultural News 98(1): 20-25.
  • Muehlbauer, M., W. Cowgill, J. Clements, and W. Autio.  2019.  Update on the 2014 NC-140 Honeycrisp and Aztec Fuji rootstock trials in New Jersey and Massachusetts.  Fruit Notes 84(2):15-18.  Horticultural News 99(2):15-18.

EXTENSION PUBLICATIONS (94 BEFORE 2012)

  • Autio, W. and W. Cowgill. 2012. Late-season ‘Rescue’ Thinning with Ethephon.  University of Massachusetts Extension Factsheet.
  • Autio, W.  2012.  Photos of Apple Varieties in the Renaissance Center’s Renaissance Apple Orchard.  University of Massachusetts Extension Factsheet.
  • Autio, W.R. 2014. Fruit trees in the home landscape. UMass Extension Factsheet. 6 pp.
  • Autio, W.R., J.S. Krupa, and W.P. Cowgill. 2014. Peach thinning. UMass Extension Factsheet F-139l 2 pp.
  • Autio, W. 2018. The 2010 NC-140 Honeycrisp Apple Rootstock Trial. UMass Fruit Program Factsheet, 2 pp.
  • Cowgill, W. and W. Autio. 2019. Enhancing return bloom of apple. University of Massachusetts Extension Factsheet F-131R2.

ABSTRACTS (67 BEFORE 2012)

  • Cowgill, W., W. Autio, D. Ward, R. Magron, S. Solner-Figler, and J. Krupa.  2012.  Effects of Gibberellic Acid on PF-14 ‘Jersey’ peaches in Massachusetts and New Jersey.  Plant Growth Regulator Conference (Presented as a talk, February 2012, Wilkes Barre, PA).
  • Carleo, J., D. Ward, C.A. Wyenandt, G. Ghidiu, N. Polanin, and W. Autio.  2012.  Results of application of Coragen (rynaxypyr) on reduction of sunflower moth larvae damage. HortScience 47(9):S2.
  • Cowgill, W., W. Autio, D. Ward, R. Magron, S. Solner-Figler, and J. Krupa.  2012.  Effects of Gibberellic Acid on PF-14 ‘Jersey’ peaches in Massachusetts and New Jersey.  HortScience 47(9):S4.
  • Clements, J., W. Cowgill, and W. Autio.  2012.  Performance of Cameo apple trees on three dwarf rootstocks in Massachusetts and New Jersey as part of the NC-140  Regional Rootstock Research Project. HortScience 47(9):S5.
  • Cotter, J., J. Talbert, J. Goddard, W. Autio, and L. McLandsborough. 2012.  Influence of soil particles on the survival of Salmonella on plastic tomato harvest containers. International Association of Food Protection. (Presented as a talk, July 2012, Providence, RI).
  • Cowgill, W., T. Robinson, M. Sazo, W. Autio. 2013.  2012 Chemical branching studies of Macoun and Golden Delicous in a Delaware nursery. 2013 Northeast Plant Grower Regulator Conference, (presented as a talk, March, 2013, Wilkes Barre, PA).
  • Reighard, G., W. Bridges, D. Archbold, A. Atucha, W. Autio, T. Beckman, B. Black, E. Coneva, K. Day, M. Kushad, R. Pokharel, R. Johnson, T. Lindstrom, M. Parker, T. Robinson, J. Schupp, M. Warmund, D. Wolfe.  2013.  NC-140 peach rootstock testing in 13 U.S. states.  ISHS Peach Symposium.
  • Muehlbaur, N., W. Cowgill, A. Wyenandt, K. Holmstrom, S. Sollner-Figler, R. Magron, and W. Autio.  2014.  2013 New Jersey fungicide efficacy trial for powdery mildew of Curcurbita pepo ‘Solid Gold.’ Presented at the Northeast Region of the American Society for Horticultural Science Meetings, January 2014.
  • Cowgill, W., R. Magron, M. Beese, W. Autio, J. Clements, T. Robinson. 2014. Experience with Maxcel, Promalin, and Tiberon for branching nursery apple trees in Delaware in 2013 and 2014.. Annual Meeting of the Plant Growth Regulator Working Group, Wilkes Barre, PA.
  • Cowgill, W., R. Magron, W. Autio, J. Krupa. 2014. Effects of GA and AVG on peach yield and fruit quality in New Jersey and Massachusetts. Annual Meeting of the Plant Growth Regulator Working Group, Wilkes Barre, PA.
  • Muehlbauer, M., J. Clements, W. Cowgill, and W. Autio. 2018. Assessment of the effect of Vineland and Geneva rootstocks on apple tree vigor and yield in three Honeycrisp and Fuji NC-140 rootstock trials. NACAA Annual Meeting.

CURRENT COURSES

  • Pruning Fruit Crops (STOCKSCH 235, 2 credits, spring semester)
  • Intermediate Biometry (STOCKSCH 661, 4 credits, fall semester)
  • Data Analysis & Interpretation (STOCKSCH 697A, 2 credits, spring semesters)

EDITORIAL EXPERIENCE

Fruit Notes, Senior editor, 1986 to present.

Horticultural News, Co-editor, 2010 to present.

Journal of Horticultural Science & Biotechnology, Associate Editor, 1994 to 2015.

Journal of Tree Fruit Production, Senior editor, January, 1992 to 2004.

HortScience, Associate Editor, 1995-2001.