ORGANIC PRODUCTION OF NATIVE AND NICHE FRUIT CROPS

S. Cory Tanner Horticulture Agent Greenville, Pickens, Oconee & Anderson [email protected]

LOCALLY-GROWN NICHE AND NATIVE FRUITS GAINING POPULARITY

EMERGING MARKET OPPORTUNITIES Late-season, High-value Product  Artisanal Flavors  Local  Organic  These crops have stories 



Direct Marketing Local Restaurants  Farmers Markets  CSAs  Immigrant/Ethnic Communities 

Food Hubs  Agritourism 

 

Pick your own

Value added products 

Jams, jellies, ice cream, spirits, pastries, etc.

FRUITS WELL-ADAPTED TO OUR AREA WITH FEW SERIOUS PEST AND DISEASE PROBLEMS Native Crops

Exotic Crops

Muscadine Grapes  Pawpaws  Native Persimmons





Asian (Kaki) Persimmons  Figs  Pomegranates

VARIETY SELECTION 

Marketing Considerations Harvest Range (early-, mid-, late-season)  Fruit Qualities (flavor, shelf life, sugar content, etc.)  Use (fresh, processing, juicing, etc.) 

Insect and Disease Resistance  Adaptation to Local Environment/Climate  Maintenance Requirements 

HARVEST SCHEDULE Persimmon Pomegranate Pawpaw Muscadine Fig June

July

August

September

October

November

SHORT STORAGE AND SHIPPING LIFE Limits these crops to local markets  Increases demand  Opens processing potential (value-added) 

PURCHASING PLANTS Order from specialty nurseries  Order well in advance of preferred planting date  Bareroot or container-grown are ok for most  Have soil prepared and ready to plant when they arrive 

PLANTING Varies somewhat by species.  Plant in fall/winter.  Break up rootballs on containerized plants.  Don’t plant too deep!  Water well after planting. 

PEST MANAGEMENT Select resistant varieties  Keep plant healthy  Preserve natural enemies  Sanitation  Use pesticides (organic or otherwise) as last resort 

WEED MANAGEMENT 

Mulching Natural  Plastic  Weed barrier 



Groundcovers

MUSCADINE GRAPES (MUSCADINIA ROTUNDIFOLIA) 

Native “grape”



Best adapted grape to Southeast



High nutritional value



Multiple uses (fresh, juice, wine, preserved)



Ripen early-August to mid-October

MUSCADINE CULTIVAR SELECTION Two Flowering Types  Pistillate (female flowers) and Perfect (male & female flowers).  Pistillate cultivars require perfect-flowered cultivars for pollinization. Fresh vs. Juicing Types Stem Scars  Wet vs. Dry  For shipping/storing select cultivars that produce a higher percentage of berries with dry stem scars.

MUSCADINE CULTIVAR SELECTION Black, Bronze (Scuppernong), or Red types  Female cultivars have higher quality fruit  Wide harvest range  A couple seedless varieties available 

http://www.caes.uga.edu/commodities/fruits/ muscadines/cultivars/index.html

MUSCADINE CULTIVATION TIPS Grow on a single wire trellis for maximum production and ease of maintenance  Space vines 20 ft apart in row  Interplant perfect flowered cultivars 

Every 4th row  Or every third plant in row. 

Requires annual pruning and training  Fruit picked individually, not in clusters 

SINGLE WIRE TRELLIS PREFERRED

MUSCADINE Upside  Nutritional qualities  “Southern” flavor  High yields  Multiple product options  Few pests Downside  Must be trained  Needs annual pruning  Can be overly vigorous

1/29/2009 2009 South Carolina Master Gardener Program

PAWPAW

(ASIMINA TRILOBA) 









Largest edible fruit native to US Staple food for Native Americans and early Europeans and Africans Virtually unknown to modern Americans More nutritionally dense than apples, bananas or oranges Ripens August/September

CULTIVAR SELECTION 

Grafted cultivars preferred over seedlings  



Yield earlier Higher-quality fruit

Cultivars 

PA-Golden, Shenandoah, Sunflower, Rappahannock, Potomac, Wabash, KSU-Atwood

WWW.PAWPAW.KYSU.EDU

PAWPAW CULTIVATION TIPS Require 2 different cultivars for cross-pollination  Provide shade during establishment  Space 8 ft in the row  Irrigation beneficial  Mulch with straw prior to fruit ripening  Tap rooted – doesn’t transplant well  Container – nursery-grown best  Drought/flooding sensitive 

GROW TUBES

PAWPAW Upside  Rare in commerce  Unique flavors  Few pest problems  Minimal pruning Downside  Tends to sucker  Drought tolerant, but irrigation helps  Phyllosticta fungal spot

1/29/2009 2009 South Carolina Master Gardener Program

NATIVE PERSIMMON (DIOSPYROS VIRGINIANA)  Diospyros

= “Fruit of the gods”  Common native tree  Ripen October (into November?)

PERSIMMON CULTIVAR SELECTION 

Grafted cultivars preferred over seedlings  



Yield earlier Higher-quality fruit

Cultivars 

Early Golden, Golden Supreme, Garrettson, John Rick, Meader, Szukis, Geneva Long

PERSIMMON CULTIVATION TIPS  Dioecious 

– trees are male or female

Require both for pollination

 Trees

will get large (20-30 ft. at least!)  Astringency – must wait until soft ripe to harvest/eat

NATIVE PERSIMMON Upside  Common native fruit  Foraging potential  Attractive to a wide range of wildlife Downside  Astringency  Fruit seedy  Tree gets large  Attractive to a wide range of wildlife  Somewhat difficult to harvest

ASIAN PERSIMMON (DIOSPYROS KAKI)  As

popular (and common) in Asia as apples are here.  Trees may get large (20-30 ft.), but are slow growing.  Lots of potential  Fruit nearly seedless  Ripen in October

ASIAN PERSIMMON CULTIVAR SELECTION 

Non-astringent cultivars – may be eaten firm or soft 



Fuyu, Giant Hanafuyu, Ichikikeijiro (Jiro), Izu

Astringent cultivars must be soft-ripe to eat: 

Hachiya, Sheng, Yamoto, Smith’s Best, Hao River

ASIAN PERSIMMON CULTIVAR SELECTION 

American-Asian Hybrids – combine traits of both. Generally more cold-tolerant. Astringent 



Nikitas Gift, Prok, Rosseyanka

Cultivars grafted onto native persimmon rootstock preferred   

More cold hardy Yield earlier More disease tolerant

ASIAN PERSIMMON CULTIVATION TIPS Do not need cross-pollination to set fruit  May be damaged by temperatures below 10⁰ F  Require fruit thinning 

ASIAN PERSIMMON Upside  High value fruit  Somewhat rare in commerce (especially local-grown)  Slow growing  Fairly drought tolerant  “Pumpkin tree” agritourism potential Downside  Slow growing  Needs fruit thinning

FIG

(FICUS CARICA)  Ancient,

Mediterranean fruit  Resurging popularity  Lots of uses (fresh, dried, processed)  Ripen June thru August depending on variety

FIG CULTIVAR SELECTION  Closed

eye varieties preferred over open eye  Generally avoid California varieties  Cold tolerance  Many Cultivars:  

Celeste (early), LSU Gold, Kadota, Alma (late), Brown Turkey (“everbearing”), Champagne, Hardy Chicago New Mediterranean types coming onto the market.

FIG CULTIVATION TIPS Do not need cross-pollination to set fruit  Sensitive to nematodes and may be damaged by cold temperatures  Plant in a protected location  Space at least 10 ft apart  Prune to bush form  Easily root from cuttings 

FIGS Upside  Diversity = market opportunities  Low fertility requirements  Minimal pruning Downside  May be cold damaged (200% greater yields – Navaho performed the best although did not shift the season much before earlier ripening field produced cultivars

•

Across 3 seasons HT spring raspberries yielded >400% more than field produced – Dormanred and Prelude had greatest yields

• • •

Extended fall production until December in 2 of 3 years Annual and total Autumn Harvest primocane blackberry yields only 40% of spring floricane yields, but raspberry primocane and floricane yields almost equal Across 3 seasons, HT yields were ~150% greater than the field – Prime-Jan, although producing larger fruit in tunnels did not have any greater yield of HT vs Field; other cultivars (Prime-Jim and APF 46 had larger yields)

HT vs Field Yield Comparisons Average of 3 seasons during establishment; 2007-2009

Yield (g/3m plot)

8000

Floricane Berries

8000

7000

7000

6000

6000

5000

5000

4000

4000

3000

3000

2000

2000

1000

1000

0

0 Tunnel FL‐Black

Field FL‐Rasp

Primocane Berries

Tunnel PR‐Black

Field PR‐Rasp

Cumulative Yield (Lbs / acre) 

60000

39% Increase

50000

40000

30000

20000

10000 NOTE:  Pollination Problem

0

Field

High Tunnel

Production System  2012 CV: Natchez

2013

2014

Field vs Tunnel Cumulative Yield 2014 Natchez Blackberry Cumulative Yield

Cumulative Yield (grams)

30000 25000

Last HT harvest 7/11

20000 15000 10000 Date of 50% of Harvest 5000 0 5/28

6/2

6/7

6/12

6/17

6/22

6/27

7/2

7/7

7/12

7/17

Date FD

CV: Natchez

HT

*Error bars represent standard error from the mean.

7/22

Field vs Tunnel Yield PrimeArk 45 14,000

Yield per 10 ft Plot (grams)

12,000

High HT temps due to insect screen 10,000

8,000

6,000

4,000

2,000

0

2012 *lbs/A calculated at 8 ft row spacing

CV: PrimeArk45

2013

FD

HT

2014 *Error bars represent standard error from the mean.

Cumulative Yield (Lbs / acre) 

40000 35000

106% Increase 30000 25000 20000 15000 10000 5000 0 Field

High Tunnel

Production System  2012 CV: PrimeArk45

2013

2014

Field vs Tunnel Cumulative Yield 7000

Yield (grams)

6000

5000

4000

3000

2000

1000

0 8/1

8/5

8/9

8/13

CV: PrimeArk45

8/17

8/21

2014

8/25

8/29

9/2

FD Tot

9/6

9/10

9/14

9/18

9/22

9/26

9/30

10/4

10/8

10/12

HT Tot *Error bars represent standard error from the mean.

Field vs Tunnel Raspberry Yield Total Yield (grams per 10 ft plot)

14000

12000

10000

8000

6000

4000

2000

0

Autumn Bliss FD

Autumn Bliss HT

*lbs/A calculated at 8 ft row spacing

2013

Josephine FD

Josephine HT

Nantahala FD

Nantahala HT

*Error bars represent standard error from the mean.

Field vs Tunnel Raspberry Yield 10000

Average Yield (lbs/acre)

9000

37% Increase

8000 7000 6000 5000 4000 3000 2000 1000 0

Field *lbs/A calculated at 8 ft row spacing

2013

Tunnel

Success and Challenges • Advanced Crop, but not as much as planned • Difficulty delaying flowering and fruiting of Primocanes to capture season extension • Pests: Mites, aphids, white flies • Temperature Problems: excessive heat, frosts • Pollination • Only need the tunnels for 3-5 months/year

Observations and Thoughts • Tunnels can allow raspberry production in our region more readily • Spring production of blackberries, raspberries and blueberries advanced 2-4 weeks – Must select earliest maturing cultivars to make it work most effectively

• Not all cultivars perform well in tunnels. • Potential for berries; not completely developed methods • Tunnels may provide significant opportunity for organic production – May be more sustainable with reduced pesticides and water conservation

Observations and Thoughts • Tunnel Size matters – The bigger the tunnel, the more environmental modification – The bigger the crop, the bigger the tunnel

Organic Considerations

Competitive Vegetation Management • Used combination of – Plant row border tillage – Plant row border weed barrier – Wood Chips – Mechanical/Hand removal

• Competitive vegetation was less of a problem in tunnels and easier to manage

Disease Management • Select cvs with resistance or minimal problems • Minimal Disease Problems • Preventative Lime-sulfur • Sanitation

Insect Management Insects were challenging • Blackberries – Broadmites • Became a problem in the tunnels (primarily) • Controlled by application of light oils and M-Pede

– Aphids • Not good control by lady beetles – Protected by ants

• Predatory spotted lady beetle (Coleomegilla maculata) was effective • Parasitic wasp (Aphidis coemani) • Soap products were ineffective • Pyganic moderately affective • Aza-direct some effect

Insect Management Insects were challenging • Blackberries and Raspberries – Spider Mites; • • • •

2-spotted, McDaniel, Carmine Severe problem in tunnels Very difficult to control Some control with predator mites – Neoseiulus fallacis, N.

califonicus

– Need to be applied very early upon detection

• Some control with soap

Insect Management Insects were challenging • Blackberries – tunnels only – Flea beetles; shot-holing • Became a problem in tunnel • Controlled with Neem, Aza-Direct

– Stink bugs • Controlled with Pyganic

– White Flies • Controlled with light oil, Pyganic, AzaDirect

Insect Management Insects were challenging • Blackberries – Redneck cane borers • More problem in field than tunnel • Practice good sanitation • If adults present, – Light oil (JMS Stylet), Pyganic, Botanigard

Insect Management Insects were challenging • All Berries – Spotted wing drosophila – Marginal control in the field • Pyganic, Neem, Aza-Direct

– Better control in tunnel • Exclusion, trapping, Pyganic

Nutrition Management • Monitor nutrition with foliar analysis following standard protocols • Monitor soil pH and OM annually with soil test • Apply organic nutrient source as prescribed on N basis • Notes for Blueberries – Use of compost and organic nutrient sources can raise pH – May need to adjust with soil or fertigation applied sulfur

Tunnel Modifications

Tunnel Problems and Solutions Problems • Tunnels only provided 2 wks advance bloom; goal was 3-4 • Tunnels provide minimal frost protection Solutions • Tunnels in Tunnels • Supplemental Heat

Tunnel Temperatures 80o Tunnel Tunnel with Heat Conservation/Addition

50o

Field

30o

Sunrise

Mid‐Day

Sunset

Sunrise

Tunnels in Tunnels

Tunnels in Tunnels & Row Covers with Supplemental Heat

Methanol chafing dish burners Approx 1/100sqft Burn 6-7 hrs

Tunnel-in-Tunnels

Do Tunnels Advance Bloom? 

Date of Full Bloom Treatment Field High Tunnel HT+ Tunnel in Tunnel 

CV: Natchez

2013

2014

AVG

1‐May 18‐April 12‐Apirl

6‐May 14‐April 8‐April

4‐May 16‐April 10‐April

Days  Advance 0 18 days 24 days

Do Tunnels Continue Harvest? 

Treatment Field High Tunnel HT+ Tunnel in Tunnel 

CV: PrimeArk 45

Date of Last Significant Harvest Days  2013 2014 AVG Extension 15‐Nov 1‐Nov 8‐Nov 0 15‐Nov 12‐Nov 13‐Nov 5 27‐Nov 14‐Nov  21‐Nov 13

TNT Summary and Conclusions • Tunnels provide increased daily heat accumulation; advanced bloom, extended harvest • Tunnels provide minimal heat conservation during a frost • Tunnels with supplemental heat had some temperature increase; heat added 0-5oF • TnT provide increased daily heat accumulation over tunnels further advancing bloom and extending the season • TnT provide increased heat conservation during a frost; added 2-5oF above tunnels • TnT with supplemental heat had significant temperature increase; added 5-10oF • TnT can limit pollination

Tunnel Problems and Solutions Problems • Spotted wing drosophila in organic production Solutions • Screening

http://assets.slate.wvu.edu/resources/295/1381171821.jpg

80 g/m2 mesh

2015 Screened High Tunnel

Changed from 25 g to 80 g/m2 mesh insect screen on  lower sides and ends and misting overhead 

Screened Tunnels • Screened tunnels in combination with lure traps and sticky cards reduced SWD by >95% • Screened tunnels had significantly increased temperatures • Screened tunnels had significantly increased miteproblems

Tunnel Problems and Solutions Problems • Increased heat in screened tunnels • Early bloom of primocane blackberries Solutions • Shading • Microsprinkler cooling

Effect of Shade in HT on ‘Prime‐Ark 45’ Blackberry Yield 2013

2014 7000

Cumulative Yield (g)

7000 = ~3194 kg/Ha

6000

= ~3560 kg/Ha

6000 = ~2629 kg/Ha

5000

5000 = ~2045 kg/Ha

4000

4000

3000

3000

2000

2000

No Shade Shade

1000 0 8/14

9/3

9/23

10/13

Date

11/2

11/22

12/12

1000 0 7/20

8/9

8/29

9/18

10/8

10/28

Date

*Error bars represent standard error from the mean (N=3). Calculations per hectare based on 2.4 meter between row spacing.

HT Shade Study Summary and Conclusions for  Blackberry • • •

Shading ~1 month before fruiting showed no significant effect on reducing air temperature during flowering; may have reduced tissue temps (not analyzed) After 2 years studies, shading had minimal to no effect on time of flowering and crop maturation. Shade significantly reduced flowering and fruiting; not a pollination effect – Reduced flower number not set – May have delayed flowering beyond the study period

• • • •

Shade significantly decreased cumulative yield of primocane blackberries on average 30-40% over two growing seasons Shade increased berry weight in blackberry but could be attributed to lower yields Shade significantly increased marketable yield percentage in one growing season but not enough to justify cost and labor of shading Shade had no effect on soluble solids content

Effects of Shade on Primocane Raspberry Yield 2013

Cumulative Yield (g)

2500

= ~1159 kg/Ha

2000

1500

= ~838 kg/Ha

No Shade

1000

Shade 500

0

7/5

7/25

8/14

9/3

9/23

10/13

11/2

11/22

12/12

Date *Error bars represent standard error from the mean (N=3). Calculations per hectare based on 2.4 meter between row spacing. Cv: Nantahala

HT Shade Study Summary for  Raspberry • Shading ~1 month prior to expected yields significantly increased yield in ‘Nantahala’ raspberry by ~30% for one growing season • Additional seasons of data needed to conclude effect on yield • Shade reduced berry size and marketable yield percentage • Shade did not have any effect on soluble solids content of raspberry • Reducing the amount of shade may have potential to reduce fruit quality effects

HT Evaporative Cooling with Microsprinklers Materials and Methods Treatments: Exp 1: Micro-Misting - 2014 • • • •

HT Continuous Misting HT 1-hr Misting HT No Misting Ambient/Field

Exp 2: Fogging - 2015 •

Water cooling/mist treatments were implemented when HT temps reached ~88oF

Effect of high tunnel insect screening on hourly average ambient temperature difference during mid-late August, 2014.

11 9

Temp oC

7 5 3 Screened HT

1

Ambient ‐1 ‐3 ‐5

Time *Error bars represent standard error from the mean (n=4).

Effect of misting/cooling on hourly average temperature of a screened HT during mid-late August, 2014. 45.0

1‐hr Mist Period 

Avg Hourly Temp oC

40.0

35.0

Ambient HT 1‐hr Mist

30.0

Continuous Mist HT No Mist Continuous Mist Period

25.0

20.0 4:48 AM

7:12 AM

9:36 AM

*Error bars represent standard error from the mean (n=4).

12:00 PM Time

2:24 PM

4:48 PM

7:12 PM

Treatment comparison of hourly average maximum temperature to HT No Mist in a screened HT during mid-late August, 2014.

Avg. Max Temperature oC

4

1‐hr Mist Period 

2 0 ‐2 ‐4 ‐6 ‐8 ‐10

Time

Control ‐ No Mist *Error bars represent standard error from the mean (n=3).

1‐Hr Mist

Treatment comparison of hourly average maximum temperature to HT No Mist in a screened HT during mid-late August, 2014. 6

Avg Hourly Max Temp oC

3

Continuous Mist Period

0

‐3

‐6

‐9

‐12

Ambient *Error bars represent standard error from the mean (n=4).

Time Continuous Mist

HT No Mist

Summary and Conclusions • Evaporative cooling has potential to cool tunnels • Micro-sprinklers were not sufficient, but had an effect • Single hour sprinkling in the morning was insufficient • Current Work - 2015 – Foggers decreased tunnel temps 10-15F from HT temps, 35F below ambient – Did not wet foliage – Significantly increased HT humidity; possible problems – Pulsing may reduce water use and humidity

Making Tunnels Work

Making Spring Tunnel Production Work • Select the right cultivars for the purpose • Select cultivars with high disease Rs – Examples: • For spring blackberries and blueberries, select earliest bearing – Examples Blackberries: Natchez, Arapaho Raspberries: Prelude, Autumn Bliss, Caroline (possibly Blueberries: Earliblue, Bluetta) » Strawberries – cultivars with proven local track record

• Select cultivars for field production that span the season; early to late

Making Spring Tunnel Production Work • Close the tunnels in mid-Winter – Mid-January to Early February

• Cover plants with a row cover “blanket” or TnT to conserve heat • Add Supplemental Heat when temperatures are below 35oF

Tunnel Temperature Mgmt • During Day: may be 50oF above outside temps • During Night: As cold or sometimes colder – Tunnels only have 0-2oF temperature nighttime temp conservation • They may “super-cool” going below outside temp

– Needs additional management

Frost Protection • So, you moved bloom from naturally after the last frost, until before the last frost YOU NEED FROST PROTECTION

• Tighten the House • Increase soil Moisture • Employ Row-Covers, Frost Curtains, or TnT • Add supplemental heat starting at about 34o-36oF

Additional Thoughts on Tunnel Temps • Tunnels-in-Tunnels and row covers are important for out-of-season production • Heat conservation and retention are important; heat sinks • Soil Moisture • Black, landscape fabric mulch floor • Inflated bi-layer poly roof • Roof Blankets • Supplemental Heat – Gas, biomass furnaces

Making Tunnels work for Extended Autumn Production • Select latest blooming and ripening cultivars • Delay flowering and fruiting with cultural means (e.g. pruning, shade have not been effective) • Start closing tunnels when temps (day or night) go below 50oF • Need pollinating insects • Have frost protection strategy ready • Flowering to ripening period extends – Last bloom likely in mid-October early November

Pollination Need to Provide Pollinating Insects

• All of the berries require insect pollination • Tunnels may bloom before or at cooler temperatures than “outside” pollinating insects are working

Harvests and Quality • Increased total yield in tunnels (30-200%) – Due to more harvests, larger fruit

• Marketable yield (% for fresh use) is improved in tunnels – Fewer sunburns – Fewer “rain rots”; water-ruined fruit – May see more “heat stressed” fruit

• Requires more harvests and more frequent harvest

Additional Thoughts • Water management in tunnels must be watched closely • Temperature Management is critical • Have experienced better summer survival in tunnels – Temperature? – Light? – Weeds?

Observations from Other Places • Tunnels can significantly change production system for local/regional food supplies • Tunnels tend to be 10ft or less in height • Tunnels have roof and end vents • Tunnels are screened • Many tunnels are “recessed” into the ground for thermal protection • Half-Tunnels with north walls

Summary • There is potential and opportunities for High Tunnel Fruit Production, especially for local markets – Blackberries, raspberries, blueberries, strawberries, grapes. – Other crops: Peaches, Plums, Cherries, figs, kiwi (??)

• High Tunnels Excellent Potential for Season Extension; Good Potential for Organic Production • Tunnels fit as a part of a farm management and profitability plan to compliment field operations • Technology and management of tunnel fruit production is being developed and proving good for our region

A Place for Tunnels Tunnels have a place in the production system to compliment field production

The Berry Sustainability Workbook Curt R. Rom Heather Friedrich, Luke Freeman, Leah Malvar, Jack McCoy Elena Garcia, Donn Johnson, Jennie Popp, Hector German Rodriguez Julia Stover, Spencer Fiser

Available free at: http://cars.uark.edu

Questions?

This presentation is copyrighted and belongs to Curt R. Rom Permission to use this presentation or elements should be requested.

Bagging Peaches as an Organic Pest Management Strategy Juan Carlos Melgar Guido Schnabel

Organic peach production on the rise: 49% increase in acreage (2008-2011)

California accounted for most of this growth

Plum curculio

Goals To increase the production of high-quality organic peaches To reduce reliance on pesticides

Fruit bagging

Thinning + bagging: 50% labor hours (25% production costs) 2,000-4,000 peaches/day/person

Bag deterioration? Off-color fruit finish?

Two varieties: early and mid-season varieties Two locations: Watsonia and Titan Farms 10 trees 150 fruit/tree were bagged

Bagging peaches at Watsonia Farms

Titan Farms

Control (non-bagged fruit)

Bagged fruit

Unbagged fruit (10 days before harvest)

Measurements: - Postharvest disease assessment - Fruit quality: color, size and weight, Brix, and acidity

- Consumer acceptance surveys

Disease assessment Brown rot and fruit recovery at harvest

Disease assessment Brown rot and fruit recovery at harvest Watsonia Farms

100 % fruit

80

Brown rot

60

Fruit recovery

40 20 0 Control

Bagged

Unbagged

Disease incidence %

Postharvest disease assessment Brown rot after 3 and 7 days 100

3 days after storage

100

80

80

60

60

40

40

20

20

0

0 Titan Titan Wat Wat Early Late Mid Early Late Mid

7 days after storage

control bagged

Titan Titan Wat Wat Early Mid Late Early Late Mid

Control

Bagged

Top Btm

Top Btm

Unbg

Control

Bagged

Top Btm

Top Btm

Unbg

Control

Bagged

Top Btm Top Btm

Unbg

Control

Bagged

Top Btm Top Btm

Unbg

Fruit weight (g)

Fruit size (mm)

Early-season - Titan

Mid-season - Titan

75

70

70

65

65 60

a

ab

b

60

55

55

50

50

200

200

160

160

120

a

ab

b

120

80

80

40

40

0

0

Control

Bagged Unbagged

b

b

Control

a

ab

a

ab

Bagged Unbagged

Fruit weight (g)

Fruit size (mm)

Early-season - Watsonia

Mid-season - Watsonia

75

75

70

70

65 60

a b

b

60 55

50

50

200

200

120

b

a

a

a

160

a b

120

80

80

40

40

0

0 Control

a

65

55

160

a

a

Bagged Unbagged

Control

Bagged Unbagged

Early-season variety - Titan Brix

10 9 8

a

b

ab

7

15

6

13

5

11

0.9 0.8

a

a

a

a

7 a

0.7 0.6 0.5 Control

a

9

Acidity

1.0

Ratio Brix/Acidity

Bagged Unbagged

5 Control

Bagged Unbagged

Early-season variety - Watsonia 10 9

Brix a

a

a

8

15

7

13

6

a ab

b

11

5

9

Acidity (%)

1.0

7

0.9 0.8

Ratio Brix/Acidity

a

ab b

0.7 0.6 0.5 Control

Bagged Unbagged

5 Control

Bagged

Unbagged

Mid-season variety - Titan Brix

15 13

a

a

a

11 9 7 5 Acidity

1.0 0.9

a

a

a

0.8

17 15 13 11 9 7 5

Ratio Brix/Acidity a

Control

0.7 0.6 0.5 Control

Bagged Unbagged

a

a

Bagged Unbagged

Mid-season variety - Watsonia Brix

15 13 11

a

a

a

9 7 5 1.0 0.9

Acidity a

a

a

0.8

17 15 13 11 9 7 5

Ratio Brix/Acidity

a

Control

0.7 0.6 0.5 Control

Bagged Unbagged

a

a

Bagged Unbagged

Consumer acceptance surveys

Which batch of peaches does look more attractive to you?

Which batch of peaches does look more attractive to you? …after learning about peach bagging, same question

Would you pay a premium for bagged peaches?

Clemson’s Farmers Market; Early-season variety Which batch of peaches does look more attractive? 23%

31%

Bagged Conventional Convential Same

46%

After learning about bagged peaches… 3% 4% bagged Bagged Conventional conventional 93%

Same

At Clemson (street survey); Mid-season variety Which batch of peaches does look more attractive? 7%

Bagged bagged Conventional Convential

93% After learning about bagged peaches… 14% Bagged 86%

Conventional Convential

Challenges -Determination of ripening date for bagged peaches -Economic assessment of costs and benefits -Best way to dispose of used bags -Ideal bag type and time of bagging

Acknowledgements •

This research was funded by the Southern IPM Center through the program “IPM Enhancement Grants”, project number: 2015-0085-07.

•

Watsonia Farms, Titan Farms, and Clemson Farmers’ Market

•

Jaine Allran, Greg Henderson, Andy Rollins, Jeff Hopkins, Mengjun Hu, Fan Zhen, Susan Tsuji, Madeline Dowling, Shuning Chen, Simon Li, Qi Zhou and Jake Harrison.

Questions?

Our Experiences with Organic Apple Orchard Curt R. Rom University Professor Co-Director, Center for Agricultural and Rural Sustainability Department of Horticulture University of Arkansas

Organic Apples 

The Team The University of Arkansas Organic Research Team – Curt Rom, Horticulture, Project leader – Elena Garcia, Horticulture, Extension and Outreach – Donn Johnson, Entomology, Pest Management, Apprentice Management – Mary Savin, Soil Biology – Jennie Popp, Economics – Technical Support: Jason McAfee, Heather Friedrich, Barbara Lewis – Graduate Students: Dr Hyun-Sug Choi, Sam Kim, Neal Mays, Jennifer Billig – Student Apprentices: Stephen Steward, Jay Gates, Carolina Proudfoot – Grower Cooperators: A&A Orchards, Dickey Farms Organic Apples 

Our Experiences

Organic Apples 

Program Overview Goals of Research Program – To develop sustainable and organic production systems for Arkansas and Southern US region producers to capture high value markets – Small scale, or scale neutral technologies

Organic Apples 

36oN 33oN

Organic Apples 

Orchard Conditions in Upper Mid South Region Challenges • Soils – Mineral, heavy, often highly eroded – Low nutrient content, low pH

• Pests – Multiple insect pests, multiple generations – Diseases: fireblight, apple scab, cedar apple rust, frogeye leaf spot, Brooks spot, black and white rot, bitter rot – Competitive Vegetation: multiple plants, 4 season succession

• Weather: Fluctuating weather; hot, humid, dry summers Organic Apples 

Questions from Growers How can we sustainably and organically manage: • Crop thinning • Competitive vegetation management • Nutrient management • Insect and Disease management And, is it economical Organic Apples 

The “Big” Questions • Can we grow apples in an organic system in our region? • How can we control control competitive vegetation? – And how does that impact the orchard ecosystem

• How to provide sufficient and timely nutrition from organic sources? – And the interaction with competitive vegetation management Organic Apples 

Additional Questions • How does management affect soil quality and health? • Does an organically managed orchard sequester carbon? • Can we control insect and disease pests with organic means? • How sustainable are organic management techniques? Organic Apples 

Organic Orchard Research Project Goal: – Develop best management practices for establishment of sustainable organic apple orchard for the south

Project Objectives: • Evaluate tree, soil, system responses to: – Organic Ground Cover Management System – Organic Nutrient Sources

Organic Apples 

Experimental Treatments Ground Cover Treatment (GT) 1. 2. 3. 4.

Municipal green compost (GC) Woodchip (WC) Shredded White Paper (SP) Mow-n-blow (MB) - Tree plot size was 2m x 2m (2m wide vegetation mgmt strip)

Nutrient Sources (NS) 1. 2. 3.

Untreated control (nutrients derived from GT) (NF) Composted manure (poultry litter) (PL) Commercial Organic Fertilizer (poultry or alfalfa based) (CF) -Applied at recommended N rates Organic Apples 

Experimental Design • Random Complete Block Design (4x3 factorial) – 4 Groundcover Management Systems (GMS): main plot effect – 3 Nutrient Sources (NS): subplot effect

• 6 blocks; 72 total treatment plot combinations • Treatment trees completely guarded on all sides • Annual springtime application of GMS and NS – GMS: 2m by 10-12 cm deep band – NS: adjusted to 50 g N/tree/year

Organic Apples 

Experimental Design • Two wire vertical axis training system • Spacing: 2 m between trees; 4 m between rows (0.4 ha) • Density: 1485 trees/ha (610tr/ac)

Organic Apples 

Plant Material and Management • Management Standards: US NOP Certified Organic – Land Prepared: 2005; Trees Planted: 2006; Transition 2006-2008 – Treatments employed at planting reapplied annually in March

• Preplant: Leveled, pasture-fed animal manure added as amendment at 3 mt/ha, soil limed, cultivated, summer cover, cultivated, cover crop planted. • Permanent Cover Crop; fescue (Festuca spp cv. K31) + white clover; nurse crop of winter wheat

Organic Apples 

Organic Apples 

Nutrient Sources Certified Commercial Organic Fertilizer

Locally Available Poultry Litter. Contents: bedding, poultry manure

Organic Apples 

Organic Apples 

Organic Apples 

Organic Apples 

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Groundcover  Management Treatments

shredded paper

mow‐blow

wood chips

green compost Organic Apples 

Treatment Nutrient Contents Treatment Poultry Litter (PL) Commercial Fertilizer (CF)c Control (NF) GC WC c SP MB 

N 1.2 7.1 0.9  1.4 .9 .22 1.1

% P 1.1 2.0 0.21 0.22 .07 .025 .22

K 0.47 2.2 0.45 0.67 0.36 0.15 1.25

Organic Apples 

Report • • • • •

Competitive Vegetation Management Disease Control Insect Control Soils and Nutrient Management Tree Growth and Performance

Organic Apples 

Competitive Vegetation Management

Organic Apples 

Survival 120

Tree Survival (%)

100 80 Compost

60

WoodChip ShredPaper

40

Mow/Blow 20 0 2006 2007 2008 2009 2010 2011 2012 2013 Year

Organic Apples 

Vegetation/Weed Density 120

Vegetation Cover (%)

100 80 Compost

60

Wood Chips Mow‐Blow

40

Shredded Paper

20 0 2006

2007

2008

2009 2010 Year of Study 

2011

2012

Organic Apples 

Vole Damage Vole Damage Rating (0‐5)

3 2.5 2 1.5 1 0.5 0 Control (NF)

Poultry Litter (PL)

Commercial Fert (CF) Nutrient Source Treatments

Organic Apples 

Competitive Vegetation Mgmt Greatest need was during establishment – Became less challenging as trees matured and canopy closed.

Organic Apples 

Ground Covers Mow and Blow •

Too much competitive vegetation; too competitive

• •

Did not improve soil quality and health Lowest amount of water infiltration and percolation; – highest soil density

• • •

Greatest vole damage Highest tree loss Reduced tree growth and performance – Lowest yields and performing

•

Highest insect populations, esp. Japanese Beetles and PC

•

Did not produce enough mulch early enough in the season – May work with more intentional vegetation; need to have a mulch by April and through July. Organic Apples 

Ground Covers Shredded paper • Best spring weed control • Problem on young trees due to excess Na release • Caused pH shift to >8.0 (from 6.0) • Tied up N • Broke down by August; autumn vegetation • More mature trees responded well – Increasing yields; reflected light

• At some points became anaerobic under the mulch Organic Apples 

Ground Covers Compost • Over applied N when applied for vegetation control and in combination with nutrient sources • Caused pH shift to >7.0 • Stimulated weeds under the trees • Strong habitat for voles • Trees were too vigorous; – Stimulated lots of surface roots into the compost – Trees became scion rooted – Became nonproductive

• Did result in significantly increased soil OM as deep at 610” into the rootzone • Did increase soil fauna

Organic Apples 

Ground Covers Woodchips • Breaks down slowly • Some tie-up of N – Took approximately 3-5 years to stabilize

• Increased soil OM, maintained pH • Increased soil fauna, fungi • Suppressed many weeds but Bermudagrass grew over the top – Controlling vegetation in woodchips was difficult

• Did not need to be applied annually • Good alternative, especially combined with cultivation Organic Apples 

Competitive Vegetation Management Alternatives Some vegetation is probably ok – However, we do not know how much – Less competition for young trees, more for mature trees – Perennial vegetation is largest problem – Spring, early summer vegetation is most competitive with tree growth and nutrition • March - June

Organic Apples 

Best Practices for Competitive Vegetation Management 1. Start with a clean planting row –

Consider solarization or plastic cover during planting and establishment

2. Use a managed ground cover – –

There is limited knowledge of adaptable ground covers Potential for use of endophyte infected fescues

3. Minimize spreading, creeping grasses such as Bermudagrass and Johnson grass 4. Consider combination of under-tree, shallow tillage followed by mulch systems – –

Wood chip mulches provide benefits to soil Paper mulch is excellent for water retention and vegetation control Organic Apples 

Organic Apples 

Cultivation “Sandwich” System DRIVE ROW Cultivated Strip Managed Vegetation Strip Cultivated Strip

DRIVE ROW Trees After cultivation:  • Apply Nutrient Source • Top with compost • Top and seal with woodchips

Organic Apples 

Learning from Mistakes • Using uncomposted horse manure in field preparation, although improving soil OM and nutrition, introduced weeds • Use of green compost, stimulated weed growth and introduced weeds • Use of wood chips, loved by Bermudagrass • Mow and Blow; too much competition for the tree; excessive mouse problems • No supplemental nutrition; trees grew but less and did not crop Organic Apples 

Alternatives for Competitive Vegetation Management • • • • • • •

Organic Herbicides Flaming Cultivation Combinations Plastic Mulches Living Mulches Doing Nothing – NOT a good alternative Organic Apples 

Disease Management

Organic Apples 

Disease Management • If, when possible, start with disease resistant cultivars – Make sure cultivars are adapted to your region

• Sanitation become a critical management tool – Remove all diseased wood – Remove all dropped fruit

Organic Apples 

Disease Management Scab, Cedar Apple Rust, Powdery Mildew – Control by cultivar – Biological controls gave only marginal control in high pressure – Lime Sulfur and sulfur sprays, copper sprays – Sanitation is important

Fireblight – – – – –

Control by cultivar Have lost antibiotics for use Sanitation is important Fall copper, pre-bloom copper Some efficacy of biologicals; marginal control in high pressure years

Organic Apples 

Disease Management Fruit Rots: Bitter, Black, White • No Good Controls – Tried to minimize impact with combination of biological fungicides and multiple sulfur applicatoins

• Became a limiting factor • Must minimize any insect damage • Related to fireblight infections – Sanitation is important Organic Apples 

Disease Management Best management practices • Select Rs cultivars • Sanitation • Pruning • Strong preventative program • Strong prophylactic program

Organic Apples 

Observations on Pest Management Disease Management • Quince rust – Unique Occurrence in 2012

• Summer rots – A problem; will emphasize more summer pruning, orchard sanitation, fall S application, and summer S application, and battery of other suppressants (carbonates, etc.) Organic Apples 

Insect Pest Management

Organic Apples 

Primary, Key Pests • Oriental fruit moth – 3-5 generations, starting at bloom

• Codling moth – 4-6 generations, starting at bloom

• Rosy apple aphid – Bloom and post bloom

• San Jose scale – Post bloom, early summer

• Plum curculio – Bloom, early summer; 2-3 generations Organic Apples 

Insect Pest Management Oriental and Codling moths • Entrust/Bt/Cyd-X applied during first hatch • Mating disruption was effective in early and mid season – Followed by Entrust/Bt/Cyd-X

• Control was good: – Damage was 0-7% during orchard trial Organic Apples 

Insect Pest Management San Jose Scale • Dormant oils to minimize overwintering • Light oils during flight/crawler stage in May/June (JMS Stylet Oil)

Organic Apples 

Insect Pest Management Plum Curculio • Most difficult to control – Suffered 4-100% crop loss; limiting pest

• Reduced first generation feeding and egg laying with Surround® from bloom through post bloom period • Some efficacy of perimeter attract-and-kill • Some efficacy of bagging fruit after bloom • Very little control of 2nd and 3rd generation – Difficult to scout, monitor, model

• Minimal PC damage strongly linked to rots • Damage increased with tree age Organic Apples 

Observations on Other Insects • Mites – No outbreak in organic orchard

• Control of rosy apple aphids – Patience + treatments – Seeding with predators

• Japanese Beetle; no significant problem – Although in 1 season higher damage rating in MB Organic Apples 

Insect Pest Management Best Practices • Sanitation and orchard maintenance • Strong scouting and preventative program – Do not let problems build up

Organic Apples 

Observations on Pest Management • Cornerstone method:

–Strong, high level IPM • Scouting, modeling

– Deterrence with Surround® (kaolin clay) film – Attract/bait, kill

Organic Apples 

Pest Management Total number of sprays – Copper; 2x (fall and spring) – Surround® averaged 5 applications/yr • 3 trips/application

– Oil sprays • 3-4 applications/year

– Supplemental insect control (oil, Bt, etc.) • 3-8 sprays/year

– Lime-Sulfur and Sulfur Sprays • 2 times for thinning • 5-7 times for disease control

– Other bio-fungicides, bio-bactericides • 5-7 times

– Total; Averaged 20-26 applications with as many as 35 tractor trips/year

Organic Apples 

Tree Nutrition

Organic Apples 

Tree Nutrient Management • Trees require nutrition – The no fertilizer treatment trees grew adequately, but did not crop well • Showed early season nutrient deficiency symptoms

• No differences between application of poultry litter and certified formulated fertilizer – Poultry litter more rapidly released N

• Foliar nutrient analysis a valuable tool – No variation due to organic nutrients

• Early season symptoms can be deceiving – Trees “grow into” their nutrient supply Organic Apples 

Nutrient Sources No Fertilizer • Trees grew adequately, but generally had lower cropping • Trees did not look healthy; pale colors • Lower survival compared to applying supplemental nutrition

Organic Apples 

Nutrient Sources Poultry Litter • Unstable, varied contents concentration of nutrients – Had to pay for analysis annually to calculate rate

• Response was similar to commercial fertilizer • Quicker N response than fertilizer but faster depletion • Required 800-1600lbs/acre to satisfy tree N requirement – @1%N, required 5kg/tree (10-15 lbs/tree)

• Difficult to handle, manage • Raised soil pH significantly, >7.0 Organic Apples 

Nutrient Sources Certified Commercial Fertilizer • Response was similar to poultry litter • Stable, reliable analysis • Slower N response than poultry litter • Expensive • Easy to manage, apply, calibrate

Organic Apples 

Soil Nutrient Contents Nitrogen • Annual application of compost was about 3-5x more N than would be normally required • NUE and N Loss – Using compost resulted in significant excess N with low total N recovery and use efficiency. – Wood chips treated trees had similar N contents and higher NUE as compost but significant less loss – Although paper and mow/blow had low N excess and loss and high NUE, were low in soil and tree N

Organic Apples 

Soil Nutrients 

 

Compost had significant late season available and total N – Significantly increased extractable soil NO3, followed by wood chips – Generally, soil NO3 has increased during the transition period Wood Chips had consistently higher available and total P Poultry litter and certified fertilizer showed increased N and P but not significant for all years – Poultry litter resulted in highest extractable or available soil NO3 in spring sampling (30 days after application) compared with certified fertilizer or no fertilizer

Organic Apples 

FB

Harv

120

Relative Growth Rate

100 80 60 40 20 0

PL

CF

Compost

-20 Days during the Growing Season

Roots

Shoots

Poultry Litter N Release

Fruits Certified Fertilizer N Release Green Compost N Release

Organic Apples 

Tree Nutrition  Early season foliar nutrition of N was significantly increased for compost and woodchips; but similar later in the season  After 8 growing seasons all ground cover treatments and nutrient treatments had adequate and similar foliar nutrient contents  Foliar N was adequate but in the low range for many treatment combinations except GC+PL and GC+CF, which had excess N Organic Apples 

Best Management Practices for Organic Orchard Nutrient Management 1. Base nutrient application rates on annual foliar testing and periodic soil testing (2-5 years) 2. Nutrient source does not have a big impact 3. Apply nutrients early in the season, e.g. midMarch 4. Limit competitive vegetation to nutrient management zone – –

Apply nutrients to a vegetation-free strip Consider applying immediately after strip cultivation

5. Cover nutrients with appropriate ground cover system (e.g. compost, wood chips, paper) 6. Be sure orchard system has adequate seasonlong soil water content Organic Apples 

Tree Growth and Performance

Organic Apples 

Tree Growth and Development • Wood chips and compost had greatest tree size; height, trunk cross-sectional area, and leaf development  All trees achieved target height of 3m height and 15cm2 TCSA by year 4  All trees managed at 3.25 – 3.5m ht

 WC and GC were large enough to crop in year 3 or 4; other treatments were delayed until 4-5

 Paper had smallest TCA; reduced chlorophyll, photosynthesis, leaf size  No nutrient treatment resulted in reduced tree growth and a delay in production capacity Organic Apples 

Total Vegetative Growth Estimate 70

2013

60

2012

60 50

50

2010 2009

40

2008

30

2007

20

2006

TCSA (cm2)

TCSA (cm2)

2011

40 30 20

Plntg

10

10

0

0

GC WC SP MB Ground Cover Treatment

CF PL NF Nutrient Source  Treatment

Organic Apples 

4

2008

3.5

2007

4 3.5

2006

3

Plntg

2.5 2 1.5 1

Tree Height (m) 

Tree Height (m) 

Tree Height

3 2.5 2 1.5 1

0.5

0.5

0

0 GC WC SP MB Ground Cover Treatment

CF PL NF Nutrient Source  Treatment

Organic Apples 

Early Yields Fruit production was significantly reduced by weather in 4 of first 6 cropping years; trees did not make target yields • All trees bloomed in 3rd leaf although SP and MB were not large enough to sustain a crop • Crop had reduced crop in 4th leaf with frosts. • Crop was lost in 5th and 9th leaf due to fruit set (rain) and sunburn, heat drop, rots. • Poor flower formation and set in years 6 and 7 due to excessive summer heat the year before. • Yield in year 6 reduced by sunburn and heat drop • Yield in year 7 reduced by May frost and snow Organic Apples 

Early Yields • Wood chips and compost treated trees had significantly greater cumulative fruit yields compared to shredded paper and mow/blow (lowest) • Certified fertilizer and poultry litter treated trees had significantly greater cumulative yields compared with no fertilizer • No treatments affected average fruit weight or size • Compost plus additional nutrients resulted in excessive nitrogen application and has shown a correlation to reduced seasonal yields

Organic Apples 

Cumulative yield (6 seasons) Cumulative Yield (kg/tree)

70 60 50 40 ‐26%

30 20 10 0 Compost

WoodChip ShredPaper Ground Cover Treatment

Mow/Blow

Organic Apples 

Cumulative yield (6 seasons) Cumulative Yield (kg/tree)

70 60 50 40

‐12%

30 20 10 0 None

CommFert Nutrient Source Treatment

Poultry Lit

Organic Apples 

Nitrogen Application and Cropping WC + CF WC + PL

Excessive N reduces  yield potential MB + PL SP + CF WC

MB

MB + CF

GC

SP + PL

SP

Organic Apples 

General Observations Soil Conditions • Ground Cover systems affected soil temperatures and seasonal soil moisture content – Shredded paper resulted in reduced soil temps and highest average soil water moisture content – Mow/blow resulted in highest soil temps and lowest average soil water moisture content

• Soil Density – Density in all decreased since preplant – Density in wood chips and compost lightest; paper heaviest

• Water Infiltration – Greatest under paper and wood chips – Least under mowed, mow/blow

Organic Apples 

Summary and Conclusions • SP and WC provided some competitive vegetation management, but additional inputs were needed • GC provided excess N nutrition at rate it was applied • GC resulted in significant improvements in soil biology, soil quality and health • WC resulted in best combination of soil health, tree growth, and cropping • Either nutrient source provided sufficient nutrition and similar results • MB resulted in greatest tree loss • No nutrition resulted in adequate tree growth, but lowest soil biology measurements, and lowest cumulative yields

Organic Apples 

Summary and Conclusions • Trees lost cropping due to environmental conditions – Seemed very sensitive to environment • Cultivar reasons; treatment (N) reasons

– Lost crop to frosts, freezes, hail and excessive heat – Cultivar was not well adapted; importance of CV selection.

• Organic management showed significant improvement in soil quality and health – Compared to conventional orchard • • • • •

Decreased soil density Significantly increased water infiltration Significantly increased soil organic matter Significantly increased C and N sequestration Significantly increased soil microorganisms and biological activity

Organic Apples 

Thanks for your Attention

This presentation is copyrighted and belongs to Curt R. Rom Permission to use this presentation or elements should be requested.

Organic Apples 

Organic Herbicides • Several available – – – –

Acids: Acetic Acid, Pelargonic Acid Oils: terpenoids – Clove Oil, Mint Oil, etc. Allelopathics Soaps, Salts, etc

• Generally have to be applied at high concentration, frequently – Best if applied 2-5 times at 5-7 day intervals

Organic Apples 

Organic Herbicides • Advantages – Easy to apply; similar to conventional – Quick Knock Down

• Disadvantages – Only effective on germinating, tender annuals • NOT effective on perennials

– Short-term response; quick grow-back • Physical not Physiological effects

– Expensive • Used at high concentrations

– Can cause pest problems Organic Apples 

Flaming • Advantage – Quick and easy, rapid results (if any)

• Disadvantages – Only effective on germinating, tender annuals • NOT effective on established vegetation • NOT effective on perennial vegetation

– Can have quick regrowth • Physical not physiological effect

– Sustainable?? Heavy use of energy, petrol – Expensive; may require monthly applic. – Fire hazards (use with irrigation running, and well watered fields)

Organic Apples 

Organic Apples 

Cultivation Types: shallow cultivation, rotary hoes • Advantages – Control when needed; quick – Shallow Incorporation of OM – May reduce mice

• Disadvantages – – – –

Disturbs soil; exposes soil to air May reduce surface OM May prune surface tree roots Requires frequent cultivation; Petroleum use

Organic Apples 

Organic Apples 

Plastic Mulches • Polyethylene Fabric Mulch – Advantages • • • •

Excellent control Excellent moisture retention, best Fast to apply; lasts multiple years (4-7+ yrs) Possible insect barrier

Organic Apples 

Strategies and Alternatives • Polyethylene Fabric Mulch – Disadvantages • Expensive Investment ($3000/ac) • Needs to be removed or “rolled back” seasonally – Soil may become anaerobic in wet conditions – Soil needs to “breathe” – Moved to apply nutrients

• Difficult to apply nutrients • Mice • Soil heating Organic Apples 

Organic Apples 

Organic Apples 

Use of Living Ground Covers • Must not compete with tree during periods of need (especially spring and fall) – Fruit trees are not very competitive!

• Must be effective at improving soil condition (nutrition, aeration, etc.) • Must be effective at eliminating competitive weeds Organic Apples 

Living Ground Covers It has been observed that living ground covers – Spring and summer grasses compete with fruit trees • Fruit trees are very “weak” competitors for nutrients and soil oxygen

– Understory legumes may fix N, but • Use K and can cause K deficiencies • May release N when the tree can not use

– There may not be any nutrient movement of nutrients fixed in the drive row into the orchard root system – Living Mulches provide habitat for beneficial insects – Living Mulches can alter orchard microclimate

Organic Apples 

Organic Apples 

General Observations Competitive Vegetation and Tree Survival • SP significantly reduced competitive vegetation, followed by WC – GC stimulated some vegetation

• No significant effect of nutrient source on competitive vegetation – Although least vegetation in no-nutrient control

• MB resulted in significant rodent damage and tree loss (~40%); required trapping • SP resulted in significant tree loss; possible anerobisis and related maladies; sensitivity to late winter injury • Overall tree survival ranges from 60-77% – Additional losses to fireblight, other damage, etc. Organic Apples 

Observations on Pest Management Disease Management – Using highly resistant CV • No infection of scab, cedar apple rust, mildew

– Used lime-sulfur, sulfur and some copper as preventatives – Orchard sanitation

• Fireblight – Although ‘Enterprise’ has resistance, not complete. • Some infection in 3 high infection years • Had to treat; have used antibiotics • Missed some preventative treatments

Organic Apples 

Observations on Pest Management • Control of codling moth and oriental fruit moth – Good; low pressure – Control methods • mating disruption, IPM and targeted sprays

• Plum Curculio – A work in progress – A significant problem – Control methods • Attract, bait, and kill strategies • Surround®; marginal effect

• Scale – Became a problem – Requires multiple dormant oil applications – Monitor for crawler stage and apply summer oil, trunk directed, and/or other sprays to control

Organic Apples