Northwest Berry Production and Management Professor
scott.lukas [at] oregonstate.edu

Dr. Scott Lukas is an Associate Professor holding the Endowed Professorship for Northwest Berry Production and Management. This position is responsible for the design, development, implementation and evaluation of statewide research, Extension, and teaching programs focused on physiology and production systems of berry crops (blueberry, strawberry, blackberry, red and black raspberry, cranberry, and minor berries). This position also serves as the lead OSU collaborator on the USDA-ARS Cooperative Breeding Program and the Berry Program Research Leader at the North Willamette Research and Extension Center (NWREC) in Aurora, Oregon.

At OSU

Affiliated with:

Horticulture

Career Links:

Department of Horticulture

I accept graduate students for Horticulture

Professional Accomplishments

Education:

Ph.D. University of Hawaii at Manoa. 2015
M.S. University of Hawaii at Manoa. 2011
B.S. University of Nevada, Reno. 2007

My Awards

My Publications

Outreach and Extension

Extension Service Site Publications

(2024) Primocane-fruiting raspberry production in Central Oregon Despite their environment's high elevation, arid climate, short growing season, and sudden temperature fluctuations, some Central Oregon growers use adapted cultivars and season-extension approaches to make raspberries a viable crop.
(2023) Understanding Soil Health and Biota for Farm and Garden Like sunlight, water and air, soils are the foundation of life on Earth. Learn how soils link plants, the atmosphere, agriculture, food security, health, the economy and the environment.
(2021) How deep do my irrigation pipes need to be?
(2020) Pacific Northwest Watermelon Production East of the Cascades Here are steps to successful commercial watermelon production in the Columbia Basin and other warm-climate regions of the Pacific Northwest. You’ll learn best practices for cultivar selection, site preparation, planting, pollination, irrigation, pest management (weed, insect and disease), harvest, and marketing.
(2020) Nonlethal Bird Deterrent Strategies: Methods for reducing fruit crop losses in Oregon Bird predation is a significant threat to marketable yields in fruit crops. Loss estimates are about 10% to 20% in blueberries, 5% to 30% in cherries, and 5% to 10% in grapes. However, some vineyard sites have reported up to 50% losses. There are many avian deterrents on the market. Success with deterrents varies by site and bird species. In most cases, the best results come from a multipronged approach.
(2024) Nutrient management of raspberries and blackberries in Oregon and Washington Learn what kinds of nutrients raspberries and blackberries need in the Pacific Northwest and how to provide them.

My Media

My News Articles:

Oregon's strawberry fields are shrinking

Golden strawberry hanging from a stem with a leaf attached

However, Oregon berries have a short growing season and shelf life, and they bruise easily in transit, according to Scott Lukas, a berry scientist at Oregon State University.

Read Full Article Here

Oregon's strawberry fields are shrinking

Local strawberries found at u-picks and farmers markets are redder and sweeter than those grown in warm climates such as Mexico and California.

Full story

Interest grows in unusual fruit around Northwest

Oregon State University horticulture professor Scott Lukas compares the cross sections of different cultivars of kiwi berry compared to a Fuzzy Kiwi. OSU

Scott Lukas, Oregon State University associate professor, said some fruits grown in the Northwest have tight margins, and farms face international competition.

Interest grows in unusual fruit around Northwest

OSU professor Scott Lukas evaluates the current kiwiberry plants at the North Willamette Research and Extension Center in Aurora, Ore. Photo: OSU

Scott Lukas, Oregon State University associate professor, said some fruits grown in the Northwest have tight margins, and farms face international competition.

Full story