Articles
A SUCCESSFUL APPLE REPLANT EDUCATIONAL PROGRAM IN WASHINGTON STATE
Article number
363_21
Pages
153 – 160
Language
Abstract
The first orchards were planted in central Washington about 1900. Replanting efforts began about 1920 with poor replant growth first documented about 1930. Initially the poor growth was attributed to arsenic residues from lead arsenate sprays applied for codling moth (Cydia pomonella) control.
It wasn’t until the 1960’s that specific apple replant disease (SARD) was discovered to play a major role in reducing replant growth in Washington.
Although soil fumigation research in the early 1970’s demonstrated 200 to 300% increases in tree growth, it wasn’t until the middle of the 1980’s that soil fumigation became an accepted part of replant practices.
A statewide multi-disciplinary research and extension program was initiated in the mid-1980’s to identify physical, chemical, biological and psychological barriers to getting little trees to grow in old orchard soils.
The benefits of this program have been a dramatic increase in the number of orchards fumigated prior to replanting, introduction of new fumigants as an alternative to methyl bromide, substantial increases in growth and yield when all limiting factors have been removed and a more optimistic view of sustainability in older orchard districts.
It wasn’t until the 1960’s that specific apple replant disease (SARD) was discovered to play a major role in reducing replant growth in Washington.
Although soil fumigation research in the early 1970’s demonstrated 200 to 300% increases in tree growth, it wasn’t until the middle of the 1980’s that soil fumigation became an accepted part of replant practices.
A statewide multi-disciplinary research and extension program was initiated in the mid-1980’s to identify physical, chemical, biological and psychological barriers to getting little trees to grow in old orchard soils.
The benefits of this program have been a dramatic increase in the number of orchards fumigated prior to replanting, introduction of new fumigants as an alternative to methyl bromide, substantial increases in growth and yield when all limiting factors have been removed and a more optimistic view of sustainability in older orchard districts.
Publication
Authors
M. Willett, T.J. Smith, A.B. Peterson, H. Hinman, R.G. Stevens, T. Ley, P. Tvergyak
Keywords
Online Articles (26)