ISHS Acta Horticulturae 422: International Conference on Integrated Fruit Production
AN EVALUATION OF PLANT PROTECTION PRACTICES ACCORDING TO IFP GUIDELINES COMPARED TO CURRENT COMMERCIAL PRACTICE |
| Authors: | A.M. Berrie, J.V. Cross |
| Abstract:
The publication of UK Guidelines for Integrated Fruit Production (IFP) in 1991 provoked considerable concern amongst UK growers, who felt that the standards were too difficult to achieve and would lead to unacceptable levels of pest and disease damage and increased costs. The main areas of concern were: (1) the concept of "treatment according to need", (2) restrictions to the use of only certain permitted pesticides; (3) no use of post-harvest treatments; (4) no use of residual herbicides. In 1991 a replicated trial was established on a commercial fruit farm with the objective of demonstrating the feasibility of producing fruit according to IFP Guidelines in the UK, in comparison with current farming practice. In particular, the concerns of growers as specified above were addressed. The study demonstrated over 4 years that scab and mildew control in IFP was as good as or better than that achieved by conventional production and often with reduced fungicide inputs and costs, particularly where the VENTEM™ scab warning system was used to assist in decisions on sprays. Similarly, control of Adoxophyes orana, the main pest identified, was improved in IFP compared to conventional production but with marginally increased insecticide use. Prediction of post-harvest rotting in store, based on pre-harvest assessment of rot risk in the orchard, indicated a low risk in each of the 4 years which was subsequently confirmed by mean losses of <1% in untreated stored fruit assessed in March. Weed control in IFP, using contact herbicides, was also commercially acceptable. The study has demonstrated the feasibility of IFP, but has shown that increased management costs are usually required to operate it. | |
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