Comparative Programs for Arthropod, Disease and Weed Management in New York Organic Apples

Abstract

Organic apple production in the eastern US is small and is mostly based on existing varieties, which are susceptible to scab, and rootstocks, which are susceptible to fire blight. This requires numerous sprays per year of various pesticides to produce acceptable fruit. From 2014 to 2016, we tested different arthropod, disease and weed management programs in an advanced tall spindle high-density production system that included disease-resistant cultivars and rootstocks, in an organic research planting of apples in Geneva, New York. Arthropod and disease management regimens were characterized as Advanced Organic, Minimal Organic, or Untreated Control. Results varied by year and variety, but, in general, the Advanced program was more effective than the Minimal program in preventing damage from internal-feeding Lepidoptera, plum curculio, and obliquebanded leafroller, and less effective than the Minimal program against damage by foliar insects. Both organic programs provided comparable control of sooty blotch, cedar apple rust, and fire blight, with some variability across cultivars and years. The advanced selection CC1009 and Modi seemed to possess complete resistance to cedar apple rust, while Pristine had partial resistance. For weed control, bark chip mulch, organic soap sprays, and limonene sprays tended to be most effective, while mechanical tillage and flame weeding had lower success.

Impacts of Wildflower Interventions on Beneficial Insects in Fruit Crops: A Review

“…[ 33 ]. In organic apple orchards, although most impacts were positive, there was more damage to fruit from apple scab ( Venturia inaequalis ) ( Figure 3 c) in plots with wildflower alleyways than in crops where ‘weeds’ were controlled by mechanical disking [ 189 ].…”

Evaluation of Fruit Bagging as a Pest Management Option for Direct Pests of Apple

“…Although the state produced over 42.6 million kilograms of apples in 2017 [1], the rising costs associated with preventing pest related problems have threatened the value of many West Virginia apples. In the Northeastern United States, apple growers may contend with more than 50 direct and indirect arthropod pests, and 20 plant diseases [2]. Because of favorable pest conditions in West Virginia and elsewhere in the Northeast, commercial apple orchards must be intensively managed, often with frequent pesticide applications.…”