ISHS Acta Horticulturae 422: International Conference on Integrated Fruit Production
RESPONSIBLE CHOICE - AN IFP APPROACH |
| Authors: | A. Nathan Reed, P. Nelson |
| Abstract:
Stemilt Growers is a private company that contracts with 250 orchardists representing more than 12,000 acres from across Washington State to store, pack and market their fruit. In 1993, Stemilt launched an IFP program entitled “Responsible Choice”. This dynamic program encompasses all aspects of growing, harvesting, storing and packing fruit including: IPM and pesticides, fertilizers, herbicides, irrigation, postharvest treatments, packaging and marketing. The objective of Responsible Choice is to maximize efforts in IPM, worker safety, consumer safety and the environment with the recognition that economics influences each of these factors. The philosophy of Responsible Choice is to insure the grower's ability to pursue a sustained livelihood using practices and technologies that promote IPM, biocontrol techniques and minimize impact on consumers and the environment. As an example of this commitment an extensive temperature monitoring network has been established to augment pheromone trap information and provide data from four insect phenology models to assist growers in spray application decisions. Within the program each potential chemical input (fungicide, insecticide, miticide and herbicide) has been ranked based on its efficacy, physical properties and effects on IPM strategies (Table 1). Data from the eight factors with their associated coefficients are summed to arrive at a cumulative score for each chemical. A lower score indicates a more friendly or desirable option. Growers are given point budgets which are reviewed annually as guidelines to produce their crops. Currently apples, pears and cherries are allotted 260, 230 and 200 points, respectively. Spray records are entered into a database system to track points (prorated on the amount of active ingredient applied), grower practices and variety differences. The historical distribution of points for apple, pear and cherry crops is presented in Table 2. To date fertilizers, nutrients sprays and irrigation practices have not been indexed into the point system. Traditionally growers have applied 40–50 lb nitrogen/acre in late fall or early spring. Scheduling smaller multiple fertilizer applications at key physiological tree growth stages results in increased efficiency and reduced risk of leaching. Growers are also encouraged to use water efficiently by scheduling irrigation according to: knowledge of each soil type's holding capacity; monitoring soil moisture content with a neutron probe, capacitance probe or tensiometer; and tracking daily evapotransporation values. Communication is the key for the successful implementation of the Responsible Choice program. A nine member horticultural staff works with growers on a one-to-one basis. Annually growers receive a suggested materials list based on the points associated with each chemical available for potential pests. The Responsible Choice program is discussed at annual grower meetings. Monthly newsletters update growers with recent developments. Although not as highly visible as preharvest aspects, postharvest efforts go beyond the basic choice of packing and shipping materials that lend themselves to recycling. In an attempt to reduce dependency on conventional fungicides, Stemilt is actively participating with biotechnology developers of postharvest biocontrol agents. Successful commercial sized pilot test drenches of beneficial bacteria (Pseudomonas syringae) and yeast (Candida oleophila) have been run in apples and pears. Results indicate a synergism between biocontrol agents and reduced rates of fungicides. | |
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