Beyond Organic Apple Production

Hennigar, R.¹, Reekie, J.Y.², Specht, E.², Embree C.G.² and Fleck, S.³

A 0.8 ha free standing orchard located in the Annapolis Valley of Nova Scotia, Canada (45º 26' N, 63º 27' W) was planted in the spring of 1993 using mainly scab-resistant cultivars, Redfree (10 %) and Prima (85 %). These trees on VII(a) rootstock were planted 2.4 m apart within the row with adjacent rows spaced at 4.3 m. The orchard is unique as no spray has ever been applied since its beginning, and over time the only supplemental materials added were coarse gypsum, calcitic limestone, compost and hay mulch. In 2002, apple maggot injuries increased considerably.

Measures taken to rectify the outbreak consisted of: 1) frequent removal of fallen apples beneath the trees, 2) intensive trapping of maggot flies with yellow sticky cards with vials of pheromone lure attached (69 in total) around the perimeter and interior of the orchard, and 3) removal of wild host apple trees (in 2004) within 1 km radius of the orchard.

Traps placed in exact locations on the same trees over three years (2003-2005) showed significant changes in catch pattern and total annual fly capture, ranging from 2047 in 2003 to 4558 in 2004, and diminishing to 1593 in 2005. One thousand apple insect and disease injury counts taken during 2003-2005 showed only slightly higher level of damage relative to Integrated Pest Management and Integrated Fruit Production regimes even though no spray was applied to this orchard. In 2005, 23,000 kg of apples were harvested.

Although capture of maggot flies in traps was high, the level of fruit injuries was relatively low. This suggests that all three interventions were effective in minimizing fruit damage. The ultimate goal will be the elimination of maggot flies without the use of pesticide and the maintenance of the orchard’s unsprayed certified organic status.

 

¹ Suprima Farms Limited, Canning, NS

² Atlantic Food and Horticulture Research Centre, AAFC, Kentville, NS

³ University of Göttingen, Germany