ISHS Acta Horticulturae 525: International Conference on Integrated Fruit Production
EVALUATION OF INTEGRATED PEST AND DISEASE MANAGEMENT STRATEGIES FOR APPLE USING DISEASE RESISTANT VERSUS SUSCEPTIBLE CULTIVARS |
| Authors: | A.M. Berrie, J.V. Cross |
| Abstract:
In the first three years of a long-term replicated orchard experiment, planted in January 1995, integrated plant protection (IPP) techniques using cultivars susceptible to scab and mildew were compared with IPP techniques using scab-resistant cultivars with reduced susceptibility to mildew (IPP-R) and existing commercial practice (Conventional). Untreated plots of all cultivars were included as controls for comparison. Decisions on fungicide use, based on an ADEMTM key-stage strategy, resulted in up to 50% reduction in fungicide use in IPP plots compared to plots planted with similar cultivars and receiving a conventional fungicide programme. In IPP-R plots, reductions of up to 70% in fungicide use were achieved. At harvest no scab was recorded in fruit from IPP-R plots, <1% fruit scab in IPP plots and 6% scab in untreated plots. The incidence of mildew was similar on IPP, IPP-R and conventionally-sprayed plots in most years and was generally less than 30% mildewed shoots. In 1995, high numbers of fruit tree red spider mites (Panonychus ulmi) and rust mites (Aculus schlechtendali) (introduced on trees from the nursery) developed requiring intervention with an acaricide. The predatory mite Typhlodromus pyri, introduced in August 1995, has since maintained phytophagous mites at low levels, thus avoiding the need for further use of acaricides. Other pests occurring at damaging levels included Dysaphis plantaginea, Adoxophyes orana, Cydia pomonella and Dasyneura mali. Control of these pests in IPP and conventional plots has been achieved by the use of organophosphorus and carbamate insecticides (mainly chlorpyrifos or pirimicarb) when pests exceeded thresholds. For the IPP-R treatment, pest control was based on the use of selective non-neurotoxic (including non-anticholinesterase) insecticides where possible. Bacillus thuringiensis, fenoxycarb and diflubenzuron were used for control of caterpillars mainly. Dysaphis plantaginea caused the most serious pest problem and intervention with pirimicarb was necessary on two occasions. Infestations of Dasyneura mali were severe on all plots in 1997. Pest incidence on IPP and conventional plots were similar. Savings in insecticide use and costs on IPP plots were erratic depending on circumstances. Losses of fruit at harvest because of pests on IPP-R plots were similar to those on conventional plots but costs were 2–3 times higher because selective insect growth regulator (IGR) insecticides are more expensive than broad-spectrum organophosphorus and carbamate insecticides. | |
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