Articles
DISEASE AND ARTHROPOD EVALUATION OF FIVE APPLE CULTIVARS UNDER ORGANIC MANAGEMENT IN VERMONT, USA
Article number
1001_26
Pages
235 – 248
Language
English
Abstract
The small number of certified organic apple (Malus ×domestica) orchards in the New England region of the United States reflects the arthropod management and horticultural challenges of organic apple production and the disease challenges associated with the cultivar, McIntosh, traditionally grown in the region.
In recent years, producers have planted different apple cultivars in New England due to consumer demand.
These cultivars vary in disease and arthropod susceptibility.
Growers want to know what the potential is for sustainable and profitable organic apple production with the newer cultivars being planted.
The objective of this research was to evaluate differences in disease and arthropod incidence among five cultivars, Ginger Gold, Honeycrisp, Liberty, Macoun, and Zestar!, that were identified as important to the future of the apple industry.
Growers are using two major orchard systems to change to new cultivars: (i) an orchard planted with young trees purchased from a nursery, and (ii) a top-grafted orchard, i.e., an established, older orchard onto which new cultivars are grafted.
Disease symptoms and arthropod infestations and/or damage were evaluated on foliage during the growing season and on fruit at harvest for three years, 2009-2011, on the five cultivars in two representative organically-certified orchard systems.
Differences were detected among the cultivars in incidence of certain diseases and arthropod pests.
All cultivars had at least one disease and/or arthropod challenge.
This research will increase grower awareness of potential challenges associated with these five cultivars and aid in decision-making as to which cultivar(s) would fit best into their organic production system.
In recent years, producers have planted different apple cultivars in New England due to consumer demand.
These cultivars vary in disease and arthropod susceptibility.
Growers want to know what the potential is for sustainable and profitable organic apple production with the newer cultivars being planted.
The objective of this research was to evaluate differences in disease and arthropod incidence among five cultivars, Ginger Gold, Honeycrisp, Liberty, Macoun, and Zestar!, that were identified as important to the future of the apple industry.
Growers are using two major orchard systems to change to new cultivars: (i) an orchard planted with young trees purchased from a nursery, and (ii) a top-grafted orchard, i.e., an established, older orchard onto which new cultivars are grafted.
Disease symptoms and arthropod infestations and/or damage were evaluated on foliage during the growing season and on fruit at harvest for three years, 2009-2011, on the five cultivars in two representative organically-certified orchard systems.
Differences were detected among the cultivars in incidence of certain diseases and arthropod pests.
All cultivars had at least one disease and/or arthropod challenge.
This research will increase grower awareness of potential challenges associated with these five cultivars and aid in decision-making as to which cultivar(s) would fit best into their organic production system.
Publication
Authors
L.P. Berkett, T.L. Bradshaw, M.C. Griffith, S.L. Kingsley-Richards, H.M. Darby, R.L. Parsons, R.E. Moran, M.E. Garcia
Keywords
Malus ×domestica, ‘Ginger Gold’, ‘Honeycrisp’, ‘Liberty’, ‘Macoun’, ‘Zestar!’, integrated pest management, apple scab, rust, fruit rots, mites, Lepidoptera pests
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