From the literature: Nos. 1-12b (before July 2007)
last updated 10 Aug 2007
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References prior to No.13 July 2007 are listed below according to their subject
matter as follows;
A. legal
B. social and cultural
C. historical
D. conservation, sustainability and organic practices
E. conventional cultivation techniques
F. nutrition
G. pests and diseases
H. marketing
I. varieties and genetic / breeding topics
J. identification
K. politics
L. books
M. miscellaneous
If you have difficulty in obtaining any of these
references, contact Simon Clark
NB quoting the reference number, at;
49 Gledhow Wood Avenue,
Leeds LS81NX
Yorkshire
Tel; 0113 266 3235 (with answer phone)
E-mail simonclark49@gmail.com
Two general points
1. Concerning the journal CO2 News; ceasing to monitor
If you are interested in the case "against" Global Warming, this
journal is for you. The articles tend to "rubbish" the evidence for
Global Warming and point to the enhanced levels of atmospheric CO2 produced
by burning fossil fuels benefiting plant growth and the related Greenhouse effect
as protecting us from the effects of naturally induced climatic cooling. The
journal has received financial support from EXONMOBILand the Western Fuels Association.
I am not continuing to monitor this journal because the articles are broadly
all on the same track and anyway, the controversy if there is still one, about
Global Warming will be resolved one way or the other by the phenomenon itself
over the next few years however much lobbying takes place for or against!
2. Fresh Info; possibly ceasing to monitor
This gives short items of news some of which are highly relevant to NOF’s
interests. I may have to stop monitoring it because I will shortly be charged
for viewing the newsletter. I will let you know in Abstract 7 if I have stopped
monitoring News Info. The web site is comprehensive and often interesting; http://www.freshinfo.com
Ref 8. Breeder's rights; the position in America.
Representatives from three leading tree fruit nurseries give their views.
The problem of rights infringement and enforcement are it seems more
acute in America where the turnover of varieties is far more rapid than
in Europe, with associated aggressive marketing of new varieties to
replace those no longer in favour.
From: "The right to bear fruit" American/Western Fruit Grower
September/October 2003 p8-9 More information from afg_edit@meisternet.com
Ref 10. To club or not to club
Is it desirable to limit or at least control the number of trees planted
of new varieties, to maintain the price premiums for their fruit? Clubs
in this context are where one or more grower form a club whose members
hold the legal right to the propagation of a particular variety and who
can therefore control the number of trees produced. The concept of clubs
for new cherry varieties is discussed, together with descriptions of a
number of new varieties.
From: "The Case for a Club" by Tony Webster From; The Grower London.
October 16 2003, p19
Ref 38. Seasonal employment; are you unclear
about rights and obligations?
Nicola Evans of solicitors Rowe Cohen explains
For more information tel. 0161 830 4600
From Grower July 10 2003 p19
Ref 44. What is SAWS and what happens to it?
The Student Agricultural Workers Scheme (SAWS)
concerns students in fulltime higher education from countries
applying for EU membership (mainly E European). Students in
the scheme can work for up to 6 months in an agricultural
occupation in the UK providing the work is seasonal. Once the
"accession" countries join the EU, on May 1st 2004, the
restrictions on length of stay and nature of the work will no
longer apply. However students may be still be recruited from
other non-EU countries under the SAWS scheme after May
1st.
For information on how to make use of the SAWS
scheme, contact one of the operators listed in the article,
Grower December 18/25 2003 p6
Ref 63 Breeders rights; battles and problems in the States
Court cases have involved illegal propagation of
"protected" varieties and the prosecution of real estate
companies selling orchards comprising illegally propagated
trees. A table lists 15 suits filed by the National Licensing
Association . A problem of operating the "patenting"
legislation is the variability of each variety and the
instability of some of the strains. To patent or not to
patent is the issue. More information from
http://www.yvgsa.com
Good Fruit Grower January 15 2004 pp6-7
Ref 68 Breeder's rights in Belgium (in French)
A straightforward account (If that is possible in this area!) of breeder's
rights under Belgium and EU law. A list of currently protected varieties is
given with an "official" contact name and address for enquiries.
Le Fruit Belge 506, 2003 pp194-198
Ref 123 More stringent safety regulations will speed the shift to safer pesticides
in USA
The use of established pesticides e.g. those containing organophosphates or carbamates
will now involve strict monitoring of operators including checking their cholinesterase
levels. Growers can either comply with these regulations or, perhaps an easier
alternative, turn to safer insecticides.
Good Fruit Grower March 2004 pp24-25
Ref 124 TGWU attacks the lack of regulation of the approximately 3000 gang
masters involving about 60,000 workers.
TGWU is primarily concerned that lack of effective regulatory legislation enables
the illegal operation of "cowboy" gang masters.
Grower December 11 2003 p4
Ref 125 The right to irrigate is no more in the new Water Bill
Licensing schemes will be based on volume consumed rather than purpose of use.
One feature of the legislation is that for the first time, trickle irrigation
will be included.
Grower December 4 2003 p5
Ref 126 Apples; "Jazz" maintains its Club status in Washington state
This is the only state in the Union allowed to grow it.The 32 growers there will
be able to maintain a scarcity premium.
American/Western Fruit Grower, February 2004 p30
Ref 127 Apples; Confusion about Pink Lady and Cripp's Pink
These are the same variety (Cripp's Pink) but Pink Lady is a superior ubset of
production. About 70% of total production "makes" the required standard.
Growers are linked through an International Pink Lady Alliance. Pink Lady is maintaining
its premium price.
Grower January 30 2003 p6
Ref 128 The muddy waters of protecting Plant Intellectual Property (IP) in
the USA.
Recent interest and concern has focussed on genetically modified (transgenic)
varieties but the legislation concerning protection of rights also concerns non-transgenic
origin varieties. Since a Supreme Court ruling in 1980 patent rights can be applied
to "life forms". Shifts in the intervening period in the operation of
IP protection legislation are discussed.
Acta Hort 623 2003 p33
Ref 129 Should breeders rights be protected by patenting?
Dave Allan thinks not in the USA, because of the difficulty of rigorously defining
varieties, first because many varieties comprise many different strains and secondly
because particular strains can change their characteristics with time He cited
the European position where for a variety to get "protected " status,
it has to be subjected to stringent tests as to "uniqueness and stability".
Good Fruit Grower January 15 2004 pp6-7
Ref 130. Patenting; it can have teeth
It can also provide lawyers with field days at least in the USA. Steve Weber is
being sued by the National Licensing Authority for patent and trademark infringement;
an action possible because of grey areas in the legislation. Legal costs could
be as high as $150 000.
Good Fruit Grower January 15 2004 p7
Ref 171 Opposition to a "strawberry picker's village"
Herefordshire council get tough with S & A, accusing them of riding
"rough shod " over planning laws. S & A takes its case for
a "pickers village" to the High Court.
Grower 20 May 2004 p3
Ref 172 Risks to school children from pesticide residues in apples
Higher than the legal limits of a "gender bending" and carcinogenic
organophosphate pesticide have been found in Brazilian apples supplied to
the National School Fruit Scheme.
Grower 17 June 2004 p3
Ref 173 Problems enforcing patent and trademark rights regarding apples
The United States National Licensing Authority (NLA) according to a federal
judge, does not have the legal standing to sue anyone in general and the
Chilean fruit company Agricola Santa Ximena SA in particular, for infringement
of patent or trademark rights. This company shipped CrippsPink apples to
the USA with a logo similar to the Pink Lady one.
Good Fruit Grower 15 May 2004 pp6-7
Ref 270. GM crop user pays for the damage
A new German law makes the user financially liable for any economic cost of
contamination of non GM by GM crops.
Grower 2 Dec 2004 p25
Ref 271. New EU rules about "traceability and hygiene
A comprehensive note outlines new regulations about tracing sources and recipients
in the food distribution network and mentions new hygiene regulations. These
regulations are important if you are selling on however small a scale.
Grower 2 Dec 2004 p24
Ref 272. Gang masters to be forced into respectability?
A new code of practise launched by the government gets all party support. Gang
masters will have to be licensed in future.
Grower 25 Nov 2004 p3
Ref 273. Expansion of the EU has put well tried SAWS arrangements at risk
The Seasonal Agricultural Workers Scheme (SAWS) will no longer apply to workers
from the "new" EU countries of E. Europe. Hence the entry of temporary
workers from these countries may become unregulated and "shambolic"
Grower 17 Feb 2005 p3
Ref 274. Youngsters may be a source of cheap labour but there are –rightly-
strings attached!
Ailish Oxenforth of the international law firm DLA gives an extremely helpful
resume of the hazards likely to cause injury and of the obligations of employers
regarding risk and injury.
Grower 3 Feb 2005 pp14-15.
Ref 275. Pesticide problems; urgent action needed, or not?
The Pesticide Action Network condemns current usage practises regarding pesticides,
particularly the problem of residues. The Pesticide Safety Directorate is drafting
legal requirements for farmers to keep records of their pesticide spraying programs;
records that will be available to the public.
Grower 27 Jan. 2005 p12
Ref 276. Alcohol at work; a tricky situation legally.
Gareth Edwards and Clive Day of the law firm Eversheds, give some guidance about
the legal aspects regarding the policy "laid down" by the employer and
the rights and obligations of the employee
Grower Feb 10 2005 pp18-19
Ref 332 Thiram under scrutiny on health grounds
Products containing this non systemic insecticide are being assessed as possible health hazards
Pesticide and Toxic Chemical News May 2005 p17
417 New European legislation threatens US fruit exports to Europe.
New EU regulations will require 100% inspection for
phytosanitation purposes. This will affect cherries especially as
the delays involved in comprehensive checks could result in fruit
deterioration.
Good Fruit Grower April 1 (2005).
478 The culture of safety at work
A thoughtful and helpful article on sensible safety practise. It
includes a table of heat stress and chemical poisoning symptoms.
American/Western Fruit Grower March 2006 pp32-33
479 Problems with the legal protection of "Club" varieties
That in a court ruling the "Scarlet Spur" trademark was declared
no longer valid poses problems about the legal status of other
"protected" club varieties.
Good Fruit Grower April 15 2006
538 Growing for legality
A workshop organised by the Research Institute of Pomology and
Floriculture covered a wide range of techniques designed to
produce produce that would meet current legal regulations
Journal of Fruit and Ornamental Plant Research XIV,
supplement 2. 2006.
646 Patents and Trademarks explained
The jungle of confusion is explained at least for USA. Karen Hauda
helpfully discusses rights and limitations and importantly time
limitations.
Good Fruit Grower January 2007 p18
605 Keep on the side of the angels when producing apple juice
A code of practise based on EU recommendations is reported
Italian Food and Beverage Technology XLIV March 2006
610 Legal and other aspects of quality
A wide ranging workshop mainly covering criteria /attributes for assessing quality, techniques for measuring it and cultivation and other factors influencing it.
Methods and Legal Requirements in Fruit Quality Determination. Research Institute of Pomology and Floriculture Skierniewice Poland 16-18 June 2005.
Ref 23. GM and consumer resistance; a possible
solution?
East Malling researchers have managed to
confine GM modified tissue to the roots of strawberries where
the modification confers resistance to fungal pathogens. The
above ground parts of the plants including the fruits are
unmodified. The GM modified tissue can be identified as it
stains blue with a particular dye. The research has been
halted by a combination of lack of funding and extremely
tight bureaucratic regulation (usually not a bad thing??).
Grower August 7 2003 pp18-19
Ref 21. Pointers to the future
Professor Hughes, speaking in the Hartington
Group Seminars demonstrated how difficult it was to foretell
the future! A few certitudes help the prediction business! An
increasingly aged population; the need to get out of the "low
cost material to which someone else adds value" syndrome ;
70% of consumers were looking for more than price in what
they buy; he maintained that despite some problems for
cooperation; individual "independent" growers will not
survive.
Grower August 7 2003 p14
Ref 57. New Zealand's expanding horticultural exports: a
success story in the face of tariffs and other barriers to
free trade.
Major "exported" crops are apples, kiwi fruit
and grapes as wine, with mushrooms increasing in
importance and cut flowers about to "take off".
Organically produced crops are "raring to go" in potentially
major markets such as Japan, but exports are restricted
currently by plant health regulations which involve
fumigation treatments.
Grower Feb 12 2004 pp24-25
Ref 65. Some thoughts on the spiritual aspects
of the biodynamic approach to agriculture
Spiritualism and a "Holistic" approach to agriculture are
discussed
Biodynamics winter 2004 pp4-6
Ref 70. Do your homework before embarking on renovation
schemes!
Steven Desmond thinks that many renovation schemes
are flawed and give less value for money spent than they could,
because of a failure to "think through" what the aims are. He
describes three examples of successful renovation, i.e. Hidcote
Manor Glos., Hardwick Co. Durham and Alexandra Palace, Oldham
Lancs. Although fruit gardens/walled kitchen gardens are not
mentioned, his views certainly apply in these areas.
The
Horticulturist, winter 2004 pp2-5
Ref 71. Training schemes a way into Biological
Control? A detailed appraisal of how successful one such
project was, is described.
Some 500 mid-western (USA) "master gardeners"
were given workshop and "hands-on" instruction in biological
as an alternative to conventional control methods. There was
some increase by the participants in the scheme, in the use
of biological control methods following the training.
HortTechnology, January -March 2004 pp 149-154
Ref 174 The Biodynamic philosophy discussed
How to "think" and perceive bio dynamically. Not an easy article
but a useful "way into" the philosophy with practical ways of
applying the methodology.
Biodynamic Spring 2004 pp 44-48
Ref 175 "New Ways with Bramleys"competition
Over 50 catering students compete with their own recipes
Grower 244 June 2004
Ref 176 there is more to Vietnam than rice
A detailed report on the wide range of vegetables, flowers and tree crops
grown in addition to coffee, tea, cashews and bananas.
Grower 10 4June 2004 p26
Ref 177 Future trends in the EU
The European editor of the Economist thinks that reforms will be achieved
but they will be slower than desirable because of the economic and political
characteristics of the New Member States. Enlargement will continue i.e.
with the incorporation of Romania and Bulgaria and despite its religious
distinctiveness and poverty compared with existing members, Turkey also.
Grower 10 June 2004 p25
Ref 178. We depend on cheap labour from E Europe
Kent MP Hugh Robertson says that unless the "normal" issuing
of visas to Bulgarian and Romanian students is restarted, fruit will rot
as there will be no one to pick it
Grower 20 May 2004 p9
Ref 179. Are market gardens about to stage a comeback?
Increasing public disenchantment with the products of industrialised agriculture
and increasing interest in regional and local produce may well mean that
mixed product market gardens will stage a come back says Graham Ward chairman
of the NFU Board of Horticulture.
Grower 20 May 2004 p5
Ref 180 the murky world of cheap labour
A House of Commons Select committee says that there are more dishonest
than honest gang masters, that the supermarket policy of driving down prices
encourages the exploitation of cheap labour and that the Gang masters (licensing)
Bill if passed by the House of Lords, must be stringently enforced to ensure
that illegal exploitation of labour does not continue.
Grower 27 May 2004 p4
Ref 277. Horticulture; a stress relieving and "healthy" occupation?
All aspects of the plant-horticulture-human interaction are covered
Horticulture, human well-being and life quality Proc.XXVI Acta Hort.639, 2004
Ref 278. A biodynamic view of sustainability.
A thought provoking mix of ecological, biological and philosophical observations
in the general context of sustainability.
Biodynamics Winter 2004-5, pp5-8.
Ref 279. Some frivolities
Pink Lady is asking for love poems to compete in a major competition
Fresh Info news March 04 2005
Ref 280. Chips defined?
The British Quality Chip Charter (BQCC) aims to define the "perfect"
chip
Fresh info news Dec 14 2004
Ref 281. Food scares – what food scares?
Wolf has cried too often and scares are being ignored by consumers.
Fresh info news March 8 2005
Ref 333 Cider, Cider glorious Cider, the West Country's elixir
This article portrays a substantial and respectable increasingly
“upmarket” product with an image far removed from the
(alas) cider junkies of our big cities.
British Heritage March 2005 pp22-26
Ref 333b Tillington Ladies Saved
“The Co-op has produced its first premium dry reserve cider
to save two historic apple varieties from disappearing from the English
countryside and being consigned to an apple gene bank. The future
looked bleak for Tillington Ladies’ Finger and Nottingham Colonel
when a contract to grow them for UK cider production ended. Now the
Co-op’s farming business, Farmcare, is using the apples, together
with other varieties including Bulmers Norman and Yarlington Mill, to
make its limited edition Tillington Hills Premium Dry Reserve Cider”.
The Fruit Grower September 2005
Ref 362 The joys of English cider
Historical and contemporary aspects of cider production
British Heritage March (2005) pp22-26
Ref 363 Cider in medicine
Cider as a beverage in Europe is discussed together with its use as a medicine, for example in treating
scurvy. Modern medicine has found no evidence for cider's medical value. Good bibliography.
Pharmaceutical Historian September (2005). 33, 3 pp 38-41.
Ref 364 An apple a day…?
In a comparative study, patients who ate more than one apple a day had significantly less risk of contracting a
range of cancers than those consuming less than one a day.
Annals of Oncology 9 August (2005). 16, pp 1841-1844
Ref 365 Consumer preference is hard to track down
A survey of consumer reaction to GM foods proved inconclusive. Consumer indifference could have been the "true"
situation but equally, failure to "pick up" preferences due to insensitive sampling techniques could have been the
cause.
British Food Journal 107, 8. (2005) pp 541-555
Ref 366 Education, Education, Education…..
A comprehensive review of all aspects world-wide, of horticultural education and training.
Proceedings of the IVth International Symposium on Education, Extension and Training
Acta Horticulturae 672, May (2005)
418 Family farms and the associated social cohesion under pressure in US.
Not all doom and gloom; Ralph Broetje has built a 4300 acre
large scale orchard enterprise involving family and around 100 full
time workers using environmentally friendly methods.
Good Fruit January. 15 (2005)
419 Family farms in peril
Alas, 418 above is the exception according to Dr Kent Mullinix
who says the phenomenon is global. Increasing size of farming and
marketing units with often vertical integration are the problem .He
outlines a number of promising strategies that could alleviate the
problem, including sustainable, low input techniques, the wider use
of cooperatives and a reduction in the tax burden on family farms
given the social value of the family farm
Good Fruit July (2005)
420 Problems and challenges along routes to success in the US fruit growing industry; a historical perspective.
Accounts of success and the ways it was achieved, involving
technical changes in the recent past coupled with an awareness of
the need to meet the challenge of future problems.
American Fruit Grower 125, 10, pp12-14, 23-26 and
30-67. (2005)
421 Orchard work can be risky.
In a study involving 25 Hispanic orchard workers, the most
common accident was falling off a ladder resulting in bruises and
sprains. The reasons for differences in "accident proneness"
between workers are discussed.
Community Health 28, 3, pp239-252. (2005)
422 Harnessing Horticulture "in the service" of the Asian-Pacific region
Perhaps - selfishly- we in the west may not want to! As is
usual with Acta Horticulturae symposia a huge suit of topics is
included ranging from the social, economic and technical aspects of
developing horticulture to detailed accounts of cultivation
practises. However the main emphasis is on all aspects of breeding,
germ plasm conservation and root stock developments.
Acta Horticulturae No.694 (2005)
Proceedings of the International Symposium on Harnessing the
Potential of Horticulture in the Asian-Pacific Region.
480 Cider very much a part of the "Matter" of the West Country.
A multi dimensional and evocative article by Adrian Tierney-Jones.
The Field 2006 (www.thefield.co.uk)
481 More evocations of the cider culture (cider junkies excepted!)
John Vallins of The Guardian in praise of the drink itself and the
activities associated with its making.
The Guardian June20 2006
482 The realities of integrating "life style" and fruit growing.
A thoughtful and detailed analysis of the problems encountered and
ways of "marrying" practically, a valid life style with a
sustainable farming enterprise. An important and all too rare
approach to the problems.
Ecological Economics 58 (2006) pp561-578
483 Apples for the elderly
A Wisconsin apple growing family target, to the mutual satisfaction
of grower and customer, the desire of many old people to pick their
own fruit by arranging orchard tours and picking events.
American /Western Fruit |Grower March 2006 p27
539 A soil scientist assesses the biodynamic approach
Dr John Reganold of Washington State University considers that
in comparison with conventional farming methods, the biodynamic
approach results in better soil quality, lower crop yields but
equal or higher net returns per acre.
Good Fruit Grower May 1 2006 pp34-35
540 Maybe an apple a day would help
A deatailed New Zealand study revealed the main causes of
obesity in 5-12 year old children.
Health Education Journal 65, 2. 2006 pp 135-148
The romantic side of cider
An evocative many faceted essay on among other things, cider
Guardian 30August 2006
604 The trials of transition
A revealing and thought provoking account of some of the problems encountered when changes are afoot in traditional style agriculture. Strongly recommended reading
Minar 564 August 2006
Ref 17. How it all started in New Zealand
A discursive account of the development of the apple industry in New
Zealand portrayed as an idealistic rural way of way of life but
one increasingly distorted by the need to control pests and diseases
using chemical sprays and by the influence of the export markets on
production.
From: "Wilderness to Orchard; The Export Apple Industry in
Nelson, New Zealand 1908 - 1940" By M. Roche. Environment and
History 9,4,2003, pp 435-450. e-mail; M.M.Roche@massey.ac.nz
Ref 96a "There's life in the old (Italian) dog " yet.
Annurca grown commercially in the Campania region of Italy since
Roman times accounted for 90% of production until the 1960s when
it fell to 20%, due to a labour intensive growing and harvesting
technique. However it is now back to 70% of the acreage due to new
growing techniques and a recognition of its supreme flavour which
gives it a 30% premium in price.
Grower April 3 2003 pp20-21
Ref 367 How are pears doing in |Europe?
Levels of production, varieties currently favoured and the disease factor are among many aspects of pear production
considered.
Proceedings of the IXth International Symposium on Pear Production
Status of Pear Production in Europe Acta Horticulturae 671, (2005) p47
Ref 368 Uniformity; the same old story
The University of Milan contains a collection of 19th century models of some 300 pear varieties. A
nursery of the same period lists 250 varieties. In 1901 Milan University grew more than 300 varieties. Today 70% of
Italian pear production is provided by 4 cultivars, Conference, Abbe Fetel, Beurre Bosc and Doyenne du Comice. In view
of the massive decline in diversity, collections of old varieties are being established. The Milan collection of
models is proving useful in identifying old varieties.
Old Pear Varieties in Northern Italy. Proceedings of the IXth International Symposium on Pears.
Acta Horticulturae 671 (2005) pp 243-246
Ref 369 The Renaissance included pears as well as paintings
John Seabrook in a fascinating and many stranded account, reports how Renaissance pears are being tracked down and a
collection created.
New Yorker September 5(2005) pp102-108
423 America too has its lost "heritage varieties.
Joseph Postman discusses late 19th and early 20th century
investigations of pear varieties. One work describes 78 important
cultivars. Postman would like information on 17 "lost"
varieties of which he gives brief descriptions. (E mail;
jpostman@ars-grin.gov)
Journal of the American Pomological Society, 59(1):3-6
January 2 (2005)
Ref 16. Earthworms affect orchard soil characteristics
Soil structure was improved, compaction and decalcification reduced and
organic matter breakdown enhanced in an orchard where earthworm activity
was high compared with one where it was low.
From: "Soil structure and characteristics of organic matter in two
orchards differing in earthworm activity." By A.G Jongmans et al Applied
Soil Ecology 24, 2003, pp 219-232-More information from toine.jongmans@wur.nl. Available
on line from; http://www.sciencedirect.com
Ref 9. If you are a bee or a wasp, size of habitat is not everything,
connections with other habitats and landscape diversity matter!
In Dutch orchard meadows, bee population densities increased with habitat
connectivity, whilst species richness of bees and eumanid wasps increased
with habitat area. The results suggest that the area and connectivity of
habitat fragments are important factors affecting the conservation of
habitat specialists whilst generalists may profit from diversity of the
surrounding landscape matrix
From: Importance of Habitat Area and Landscape Context for Species
Richness of Bees and Wasps in Fragmented Orchard Meadows. By Ingolf
Steffan-Dewenter Conservation Biology 17. 2003-No 4 pp 1036-1044. More
information from:
Ref 45. Taking the mystery out of composting.
Alasdair Smithson from the Soil Association
takes us through the methodology of farm scale composting and
outlines the biological processes involved in the conversion
of the raw material to the finished product.
Grower December 18/25 2003 pp 18-19
Ref 39. Not all fungi are harmful.
In trials by Andrew Boxall in Kent, inoculation
with beneficial mycorrhizal fungi increased yield of Elsanta
strawberries by around 50% with an associated 40% increase in
Class A fruit. Taste and earliness were also improved.
Mycorrhiza produces these beneficial effects by (amongst
other things) enhancing Phosphorus uptake and increasing
absorption of other minerals and water from the soil by
increasing the effective root surface area. For more
information contact Becker Underwood; tel 01903 732323
Grower July 10 2003 pp 22-23
Ref 59. A step nearer insecticide free orchards
Tanacetum vulgatum, Chrysanthremum maximum
and Achillea millefolium, managed to cover one third
of the ground area in a Quebec orchard, were beneficial
refugia for predacious and parasitoid arthropods. 90.8% clean
fruit was obtained by the 5th year of the study.
Biocontrol Science and Technology, February
2004 pp25-37
Ref 6. Life for apple leaf rollers is anything but a bed
of roses
Multiflora rose planted adjacent to orchards provide
refugia for a wasp (Colpoclypeus lorus)
parasitoid on oblique banded leaf roller caterpillars.
Agricultural Research January 2004 pp12-15.
Ref 77. Mulches are good news for orchards!
Another confirmation of the beneficial effects of mulches. An
experiment in an Indian apple orchard showed that as to be
expected, in the mulched treatments, weeds were suppressed, soil
moisture conserved and soil temperature fluctuations
reduced. Less expected but good news, was that fruit yield
increased in the mulched treatments. Not such good news for the
"organic enthusiast" was that black polythene was the most
effective and beneficial of the materials tried. Pine needles
were the least beneficial.
Progressive Horticulture 35,1, 2003 pp100-103
Ref 163 Make your orchard floor predator- friendly
A compost mulch supported higher densities of some but not all
predators than did bare soil, a synthetic mulch or a herbicide
treated vegetation "thatch"
Biological Control 30 2004 pp265-273
Ref 164 A new Mycorrhiza "Vaminoc C" for strawberry production .
This will shortly be available commercially.Trials with Elsanta gave a 40-50 %
increase in yield and in Class A fruit.
Grower July 10 2003 p22
Ref 165 Biological control of White fly using Eretmocerus eremicus
("Eretsure") has been successful in France
A license for restricted crop use has now been granted for the UK. Eretmocerus
may prove more effective in high summer temperatures than the widely used
Encarsia formosa
Grower April 24 2003 pp14-15
Ref 166 The Horticultural Link Project is researching into ways of producing
apples organically on the commercial scale.
Suitable varieties have been selected. Major problems are; scab, mildew, sooty
blotch, apple blossom weevil, rosy apple aphid and nitrogen deficiency. One definite
positive result so far is that Copper which is permitted, is effective against
the fungal diseases
Grower November 6 2003 p11
Ref 167 Natural predators are powerful allies in controlling pests.
Pests are easily identified but their predators and the level of
predation are less easily determined and this needs perseverance
and patience! An extremely useful table of pest and predator
characteristics is included
Grower September 18 2003 pp22-23
Ref 168 Quality but not Quantity but what quality!
A Polish study has shown that whilst yield was lower in carrots
and potatoes grown organically, their nutritive, sensory and
storage quality attributes were better than in conventionally
grown crops,
Acta Hort 604 2003 p473
Ref 169 Alasdair Smith of the Soil Association outlines
"good practise" for farm scale composting.
The end product should be humified, look and smell like forest
soil, be biologically very active, free of weed seeds, free of
human pathogens, free of plant pests, free of plant pathogens and
contain the major and importantly, minor plant nutrients.
Grower 18/25 December 2003 pp18-19
Ref 187 More problems with peat extraction
No decisions have yet been made concerning English Nature's recommendation
for Special Areas of Conservation for Bolton Fell Moss and Solway Moss where
peat extraction continues. There is not surprisingly, little agreement between
the RSPB and the Growing Media Association, as to the extent of the damage
to wildlife and these habitats generally as a result of peat extraction.
Grower July 2004 p7,
Ref 188 the horticultural industry not the only "Villain of the peace"
in the peat saga
Andrew Fuller in a letter to the Grower, suggested that the horticultural
industry is not given sufficient credit for attempting to find satisfactory
alternatives to peat and that the general public through indifference and
ignorance are not supporting the industry in the difficult task of developing
and using peat alternatives
Grower 20 May 2004 p12
Ref 189 Brussels backs organics
Agricultural commissioner Franz Fischler unveils a 21-point action plan
to boost the organic sector. Included in the plan are incentives to convert,
training and educational schemes, research, strengthening the quality control
system to improve quality and reduce fraud and stimulate demand
Grower 17 June 2004 p25
Ref 190 at last! Official acknowledgement that taste matters!
Newcastle University is coordinating a new Ł12 million EU project
To investigate why the taste and nutritional value of food is declining
Grower 24 June 2004 pp11-13
Ref 181 Plant aromas may help combat pests
Work at Washington State University suggests that plant fragrance/aromas
can attract beneficial predators and insects. e.g. Oil of Wintergreen (methyl
salicylate) attracts lacewings, hover flies and ladybeetles
Good Fruit Grower April 1 2004 pp12-13
Ref 191 Proximity to flowering plants reduced orchard pests.
East Malling research showed that flowering plants including corn flower
(Centaurea cyanus) and chamomile (Anthemis arvensis), grown
in an orchard, enhanced beneficial arthropods numbers.
Bio control Science and Technology 14,3, pp291-300
Ref 182 Mites pray on mites
Korean entomologists have observed in an orchard unsprayed for a number
of years, complex predator-pray relationships between species of mites harmful
to apple trees and an assemblage of predator mites.
Korean J Applied Entomology 42, 3, 2003 pp257-262
Ref 183 Roses attract beneficial wasps.
Wild multiflora roses bolster spring populations of a small wasp that parasitizes
several leaf roller moths that severely damage leaves and fruits of apples,
pears and cherries.
American/Western Fruit Grower 2004
Ref 229 Yeast as a control of Botrytis — caused rot in strawberries
Bio control Science and Technology August 2004 pp513-521
Ref 184 Organic strawberry production in California keeps on growing
Researchers are now tackling problems encountered in this method of cultivation.
The cost of weed control and the level of the price premium determine the
economic viability and hence the extent of this type of production.
American Fruit Grower 124, 6, 2004 p46
Ref 185 Pest control the Biodynamic way.
Information on sprays long used to control pests and stimulate plant growth
is presented.
Biodynamic Spring 2004 pp13-17
Ref 186 Organic production continues to rise world wide
The 23 million "organic" hectares worldwide in 2003 increased
by 1 million in 2004. Europe accounts for 23%, Oceania and Australia for
42 % In Europe Liechtenstein has the largest area, 27%, under organic management,
followed by Austria with 12% whilst Germany and UK tie for bottom place
each with 4%.
Grower 27 May 2004 p25
Ref 252 Organic production in America: a lesson for us?
Organic production of apples and pears seems set fair in the Mid-west of the
USA, withconsumers demanding environmentally and biologically "friendly" control
of pests and diseases. The necessary techniques are being developed by, NB joint,
efforts of universities and the private sector.
Sustainability of Horticultural Systems Proc XXVI eds. L. Bertschinger and
J.D. Anderson Acta Hort, 638, 2004 p309
Ref 253 Sustainable organic production; the challenge.
A masterly review of the technical and economic challenges involved
in the fields of Nutrition, Pest and Disease Control and Profitability
Sustainability of Horticultural Systems Proc XXVI
eds. L. Bertschinger and J.D. Anderson Acta Hort, 638, 2004 p489
Ref 254 An ecological approach to weed control
Anne and Eric Nordell have developed an effective strategy for
environmentally friendly weed control
Get to know the biology of your weeds to winkle out weak links in
their life cycles, when they are most susceptible to
control. Place nutrients close to the crop, rather than a "general
scatter". Use transplants whenever practicable, rather than seed.
Encourage rapidly growing canopies to shade weeds. Minimise "vacant
niches" by interplanting wherever practicable.
The Organic Report August 2004 p6
Ref 255 The organic industry in the UK; is it currently all doom and gloom?
Profitability is disturbingly low for many producers, say Organic
Farmers and Growers who comment that many growers cannot see ways
to improve their prospects. The Soil Association is tackling the
problem with a number of initiatives, including getting organic
food into schools, increasing consumer awareness of organic food,
better buyer-supplier relationships, more cooperation and
developing local and regional supply chains.
An 18 million Euro
grant to improve quality and safety in organic food should help to
improve things in the medium term.
Grower 19 August 2004 p6
Ref 269 Not all Doom and Gloom in Yorkshire!
"Newfield's Organics" on the edge of the North Yorkshire Moors, a Marks and
Spencer Grower of the Year Award winner shows that the organic way
can succeed. We forgive it no fruit!
Grower August 26 2004 p12
Ref 266 Organic production in the UK may currently be having a
bumpy ride but all still seems set fair in America.
The editor of the of American/Western Fruit Grower admires the way organic
growers have on the one hand capitalised on the public concern for "healthy
food" and on the other, lobbied successfully to obtain acceptable "official"
standards for organic produce.
American/Western Fruit Grower August 2004 p46
Ref 282. Advanced marketing for organic produce
"Organic Farm Food launches a seasonable vegetable line with coding
to indicate the farm where the product was grown.
Grower Jan 27 2005 p13
Refs 283a and 283b. Organic food sales still increasing
Soil Association figures indicate that sales were up 10% in 2004 but warn that
supermarkets by cutting prices to expand sales, are putting the small UK producer
at risk. HDRA reports a smaller increase of 3%.
Grower Nov 18 2004 p21 and Grower Feb 3 2005 p23
Ref 284. Land farmed organically on the increase
A 4% increase in the recent past is reported by the Soil Association, from
7084Ha to 7377Ha. Some figures about organic growing in Europe and world wide
are included in the article
Grower – date not recorded 2004 or 2005
Ref 285. Organic sales stabilising at around 3% increase per year?
HDRA thinks the market is now, after a "boom" period, expanding at
a steady rate (around 3% per year) with direct sales the rapidly expanding section
of the industry.
Grower Feb 3 2005 p11
Ref 286. Blight resistant potatoes for organic growers
A pan European project involving Newcastle University ,"Blight-MOP",
aims to produce blight resistant varieties of potato and to develop organic
growing methods to increase both quality and yield.
Grower Jan 13 2005 p3
Ref 287. Organic growing and "High Tech" can and should go hand
in hand
New composting methods, green manuring including using the allelopathic effects
of some plant species, back to crop rotations, companion planting and the use
of "state of the art" cultivation equipment including camera guided
hoeing systems are the advanced "practitioner’s stock in trade!
Grower Sept 2 2004 pp16-17
Ref 288. NIAB organic trials increase in scope
Three "minor " crops will now be included each year. These will be
sweet corn, turnips and beetroot in 2005. These trials are grown on organically
managed land. This year taste panels will assess flavour. Copies of "the
NIAB Organic Vegetable Handbook" which reviews varieties suitable for organic
production, are available at Ł15 from tel; 01223 276 381.
Grower Dec 16 2004 pp 14-15
Ref 289. The organic movement on the carpet
The superior worth of organically produced food was challenged by Professor
Trewavas of Edinburgh University recently. He claims that conventionally produced
food made one "as healthy" as organically grown and whilst having
no objection to people growing and demanding organically produced produce he
did object to, in particular, the Soil Association for its ideological stance.
Grower Feb 17 2005 p4
Ref 290. Barrel compost; a powerful soil and plant conditioner
How to make it; and its beneficial effects are discussed
Biodynamics Winter 2004-2005 pp18-20
Ref 291. To those who the phases of the moon are important
A practical guide to what to do when
Biodynamics Winter 2004-2005 pp21-25
Ref 292. A compost success story
A compost made from municipal green waste underpins the success of Jack Moody’s
commercial nursery near Wolverhampton
Grower Oct 14 2004 p18
Ref 293. Suppress weeds the "green mulch way"
Salad growers Longmead Farms, W Sussex use specially prepared green waste compost
as a mulch for weed control in salad crops. Added bonuses are nutrient input
and soil conditioning.
Grower Feb 10 2005 p7
Ref 294. A regime for the successful production of apples organically
A project at East Malling is investigating how to develop a pest and disease
management program for organic production
Grower Feb 10 2005 p6
Ref 336 The orchard “floor”is not just “space below the trees”
Shengrui Yao et al describe a complex series of experimental treatments that showed
that a grass ground cover as opposed to bark mulch enhanced the soil microbial
population and improved the growth and yield of the associated fruit trees.
Plant and Soil 271(2005); pp377-389
Ref 337 Apple scab dislikes hard pruning
Scab incidence on leaves in scab susceptible but not scab resistant
varieties was significantly reduced in hard pruned treatments. Fruit
incidence of scab was less reduced in the hard pruned treatments.
Plant Disease 2005. 89:pp611-618
Ref 338 Orchard margins have their uses as havens for beneficial arthropods
Spider and parasitoids but not predacious insects, declined in frequency up
to but not beyond, approximately 60 m from the edge of the orchard.
Biological Control 33 (2005) pp249-259
Ref 370 The Biodynamic approach; some practical hints
Times for cultivation activities and for the application of biodynamically acceptable sprays and fertilisers are
given.
Biodynamics, Autumn (2005) 254 pp27-29
Ref 371 The Biodynamic approach; philosophical considerations
The constraining demands of the environment and society on a farmer's right to individuality are discussed.
Biodynamics, Autumn (2005) 254 pp 4-11
Ref 372 The scientific basis for merit in "the organic way"
Geraldine Warner reports that a number of American universities are keen to activate research in organic
methodology. A list of top priorities for such research has been produced and is reproduced in this article.
Good Fruit Grower August (2005) p22
Ref 373 Commercial composting, a laudable environmentally friendly activity or a public nuisance?
Residents' objections to the development of nearby sites for commercial composting have greater say in determining
the outcome of planning applications than do arguments favouring the extension of large scale composting schemes.
Grower March 3(2005) p3
Ref 374 The supermarkets' drive to be organic
Sainsbury's re-launch its organic range with new branding and Asda report impressive growth in the organic section.
Fresh Fruit News 6th September (2005) p1
Ref 375 To "grass or not to grass"
As might be expected, this detailed study showed that ground cover management systems that favoured biomass
maintenance in and on the soil also favoured soil microbial activity and influenced apple tree growth and yields.
Plant and Soil (2005). 271, pp371- 389
Ref 376 Microbial control of pests; a sustainable way forward?
A wide range of agents is "waiting in the wings" including viruses, bacteria and nematodes, for use in fruit
crops. With apples, the use of these techniques is reviewed with regard to Codlin Moth.
Food, Agriculture and the Environment (2003) Vol 1, 2 pp 326-331
Ref 377 Watch those boundary areas!
Miliczky and Horton found in a study involving apple and pear orchards in Oregon and Washington, USA, that some but
not all beneficial arthropods moved into orchards from adjacent areas but that parasitoids of orchard pests were never
found outside orchards.
Biological Control (2005) 33 pp249-259
424 Giving beneficial predators of fruit rot pathogens a boost
Techniques for stimulating resident populations of beneficial
predators are reviewed.
New Zealand Plant Protection 58:55-61. (2005)
425 More on biological control of fruit pathogens
A range of potentially effective biological controls including
fungal viruses and host defence mechanisms such as anti fungal
proteins and volatiles are discussed in relation to breeding
programs and post harvest treatments.
New Zealand Plant Protection 58:68-73 (2005)
426 Biological control; commercial aspects
The demand for environmentally friendly pest and disease control
methods has stimulated commercial interest in the field. This paper
discusses commercially available products for biological control of
botrytis in grapes and fire blight in apples and pears and the
development of a biological control agent for sclerotinia in Kiwi
fruit.
New Zealand Journal of Plant Protection 58:47-54
(2005)
427 How to help your beneficial predators, simple but effective.
Transfer winter and/or summer prunings from a "donor"
(infected) to a recipient orchard. The predator has to feed so
there should be an initial even if slight infection in the
recipient orchard. Details of the technique are given.
Phytoparasitica 33 (5): 515-525 (2005)
428 Rediscovery of a beneficial predator
Anystis baccarum a predator of a wide range of pests including
Red Spider has been rediscovered in N Ireland's Bramley's
Seedling orchards. Its effectiveness and ways of encouraging it are
being assessed
Biologist 52:6 December (2005)
429 Paper mulches as weed controls
The commercially available paper mulch "Eco Cover" was
compared with other weed control methods. Although prone to wind
dislodgement, in place, it controlled weeds for up to 6 months. The
use in general of paper mulches for weed control is discussed
New Zealand Plant Protection 57:37-40 (2004)
484 An organic beaurocrat is quizzed
Caren Wilcox of the Organic Trading Association is asked about many
aspects, mostly organisational, of the organic industry as distinct
from the organic movement.
The Organic Report pp2-3 in American /Western Fruit Grower March 2006
485 Conversion from conventional to organic techniques; no easy answer
A comprehensive Swedish study involving apple orchards showed that
problems concerning pests remained and that "organic" techniques
have still to be developed to keep pests to acceptable levels.
Acta Agriculturae Scandinavica section |B Soil and Plant Science 2006 56 pp70-80
486 At last! Scientific confirmation that organically grown apples taste better than conventionally grown ones
Washington State University has found in comparative orchards
planted in 1994 that compared with the conventionally grown apples
the" organic" ones were firmer, better flavoured, better textured
and contained higher concentrations of anti-oxidants.
Journal of Pesticide Reform Spring 2006 26, 1 p4
487 The organic path to strawberry nutrition
Jane Sooby of the Organic Farming Research Organisation discusses
nitrogen application in an organic context.
The Organic Report March 2006 p8. In American/Western Fruit Grower March 2006
489 Bio fumigation has indirect as well as direct effects
Compounds released by decomposing Brassicas are toxic to some
pathogens responsible for "planting sickness" in re planted
orchards. However some of the effects are apparently due to
alteration of soil characteristics in particular nitric oxide which
operates against replant disease organisms
Agricultural Research April 2006 p22
541 Demand for organic fruit exceeds supply in USA.
This causes problems to wholesalers who are increasingly wanting
to supply organically as well as conventionally grown produce,
to remain competitive.
Good Fruit Grower May 1 2006 p 10b
542 Organic farmers do they stay the course; if not, why not?
Some answers from an Austrian survey.
Those leaving the organic sector indicated economic factors for
their decision coupled with problems associated with inspections
and the required guidelines for organic production
Attitudes
towards the environment, "social embedding" in organic
agriculture and the presence of a successor were stabilizing
factors in preventing loss from the organic sector.
Renewable Agriculture and Food Systems 21, 2, 2005 pp
95-105
543 Organic versus conventional apple production; the
economics
A study in Washington State showed that given the price premium
for organic apples, the overall economic "impacts" favoured the
producers of organic apples..
RenewableAgriculture and Food Systems:21, 2 2006. pp134-141
544 Beauty is in the eye of the beholder or does tree
architecture affect pest and pathogen development?
A study in an organically managed orchard showed that there
were significantly lower incidences of pest and pathogen
infestations in trees trained according to the centrifugal
method compared with others in which the Original Solaxe system
was used. Possible reasons for the differences are discussed.
Journal of Horticultural Science & Biotechnology 81,4, 2006
pp765-773.
642Modelling for optimum rotations in organic farming systems
Field operations data are used to generate all possible crop sequences to determine optimum rotations.
Europ J Agronomy 26 2007 pp130-143
627 Interactions make it difficult to predict responses to organic materials.
A long term study in B. Columbia of the effectiveness of organic mulches showed that results depended on soil conditions e.g. there was little response on low K soils or those affected by replant disease.
Acta Horticulturae 638 pp347-356
606 Microbial "bio fertilisation" reduces the need for conventional nutrients
Applications of Azotobacter spp, Bacillus megatherium and arbuscular mycorrhiza with 50% reduction in fertiliser input increased fruit yield significantly. (See the recent NOF flier about Mycorrhiza).
Alex. J. Agric. Res. 50 3 2005 pp121-129
599 Tree architecture affects pest and pathogen incidence
The Centrifugal training system had lower pest/pathogen incidence than the Original Solaxe system. Reasons were one or more of the following; removal of inoculum (via spur removal) (Centrifugal), canopy microclimate, lower humidity (Centrifugal) Lower shoot density(Centrifugal) and growth pattern with a population of "attractive " leaves in Late June (Solaxe)
Pennsylvania Fruit News August 2006 pp16-18
586 If you are into hoverflies …
17 species of hoverfly were recorded in two organic apple orchards in NW Italy
Bulletin of Insectology 59 2 2006 pp111-114
585 Effects of orchard practise on bird communities
Bird communities were monitored in conventional, reduced usage and no usage of pesticides in 60 Italian orchards Graniverous species were unaffected by regime whilst insectivorous species were more frequent in the "reduced" and "no" orchards.
Biodiversity and Conservation 15, 2006 pp3077-3094
701Organic matter can build up even in dry Mediterranean conditions
Israeli work in a stone fruit orchard has shown that after applying organic matter for six years a "reservoir effect" developed at which stage applications of organic matter could be reduced without loss of microbial activity and other beneficial effects.
Aspects of Applied Biology 79 2006
688 The carbon cycle seen through biodynamic eyes
Biodynamics Autumn 2006
685 The byodynamic way helps to develop links between "healthy food" and school meals
Biodynamics Autumn 2006
686 Biodynamics and sustainable/holistic agriculture
Biodynamics Autumn 2006 pp16-19
Ref 15. How they do it down south!
We are all familiar with those beautifully presented packs of dark red
strawberries from SW Spain and Portugal that lighten the supermarket
shelves in late winter and early spring.
A party of Belgium strawberry growers visited a strawberry growing area
in Portugal to find out how it is done. The scale of the operations and
the methods of nutrition and protection were hugely impressive. Anyone
who can read French will find the account extremely informative.
From: "Visite de producteurs de fraises en Alentejo (Portugal)" by E
Stocklin Fruit Belge 71. 503. pp 101-106
Ref 12. Do you want to get involved with
Blueberries?
Read this article if you do, as it gives a
detailed and helpful account of how to grow them.
Grower December 11 2003 pp12-13
Ref 34. "Papering over the cracks" in cherry
production
Producing the high quality crack -free cherries
demanded by the supermarkets involves covers to protect the
fruit from rain. The pros and cons of the "Spanish Tunnel"
and "FAST" protection systems are discussed, together with
the use of Calcium sprays as cracking preventatives,
protection against birds and new rootstock/variety
combinations.
Grower August 21 2003 pp 38-39
Ref 37. Harvesting; be prepared!
David Pennel of ADAS discusses methodology and
equipment for the harvest period to insure that there is
minimum loss of Class 1 fruit due to poor harvesting methods.
Grower July 10 2003 pp 14-15.
Ref 52. The answer to regenerating those large
"old farm orchard" apples and pears?
Californian fruit grower Gordon Rumble
maintains that hydraulically operated towers are the answer
to pruning large mature trees. Maybe the answer to picking
fruit as well? Could we see a movement back from M27 to M25??
For questions or comments contact david_eddy@meisternet.com
Fruit Grower January 2003 p6
Ref 10. Weeds and fruit don't mix
Brian Sparks reports that the longer orchards
were kept weed free using herbicide, the higher the yield of
high quality healthy fruit. In an experimental peach orchard,
for every week the orchard was kept weed free there was a
225lb increase in yield. The beneficial effects of a weed
free orchard were due to lack of competition for water and
nutrients. For questions and comments, contact
brian_sparks@meisternet.com.
Fruit Grower, January 2003 p10
Ref 10b. Aids to a weed free orchard!
Three herbicides, effective against a range of
weeds including grasses and woody perennials are being
evaluated by researchers at North Carolina's State University
for their suitability for use in orchards
Fruit Grower January 2003 p10
Ref 56. Palmette pruning can prolong high
quality fruit production.
Stella Naegly describes in detail a method of
pruning whereby quality can be maintained in orchards of
"old" semi dwarf trees by removing the upper canopy and
replacing it with a two dimensional "fanlike" arrangement of
branches. For questions or comments contact;
afg_edit@meisternet. com
Fruit Grower January 2003 p29
Ref 54. A flexible management system for apple
production from New Zealand
Developed from the French Vertical Axe system,
the Slender Pyramid management system is adaptable to a wide
range of conditions and tree sizes as it can be use for a
variety of rootstocks. Details of how to form the young trees
are given. Further details from STustin@hortresearch.co.nz
and afg_edit@meisternet.com
Fruit Grower January 2003 p24
Ref 36. "Challenge and Response" Dutch pear
growers have learnt to live without "Cyccel".
The banning of Cyccel in 2000 resulted in
reductions in the yield of pears by up to 20%. However, four
years later, a combination of environmentally friendly
methods and new planting and pruning techniques have resulted
in increased yields.
>Grower July 10 2003 p13
Ref 73 Where gardeners and conservationists
clash; alternatives to peat the "dream" growing medium.
The consumption of growing media has increased by 50% since 1990
with peat the major constituent. Substitutes are actively being
developed to halt the total destruction of peat bogs. Alternative
media are described e.g. choir based, wood based and green
vegetable based. The important point is made that cultural
practises have also to be changed to get the best results from the
alternatives. Further information from; http://www.
growingmedia.co.uk
Grower 5 February, 2004 pp20-22
Ref 113 No longer hit and miss
A N Zealand device detects the aromatic compounds produced in
apples on ripening.
The Garden 129, 2, February 2004 p80
Ref 114 Post harvest quality maintenance is vital
The factors conducive of quality and importantly the external factors influencing
maintenance of quality during storage are discussed
Acta Hort 604 2003 p565
Ref 115 Snags hit the "Golden Boy"
Not fortunately yet seen in Europe, some samples of Golden
Delicious in the USA have been subject to a skin scald disorder
that fortunately does not affect the flesh
Good Fruit January 15 2004 p15
Ref 116 Water if not soon to be "liquid gold" will
certainly become progressively more expensive.
Economies in its use in orchards include matching supply to demand
by monitoring tree water status, micro sprinklers, trickle
irrigation and mulching
Good Fruit Grower March 15 2004 p22
Ref 117 Raspberries
New and old ways of training and managing canes are discussed and
a new training system is described in detail
Grower April 7 2003 pp20- 21
Ref 118 Soil compaction in container grown apples
This is
on balance harmful as we might have intuitively expected, as it
reduces growth..
HortScience 39,1, February 2004 pp
40-48
Ref 119 We can't alas beat peat
Trials of perlite, sand and vermiculite were inferior in trials of
bedding plants to mixtures of white and black peat. Additions of
these compounds to the peat mixture did not improve
performance.
Acta Hort 644 2004 p157
Ref 120 Spray drift.
Early season spraying produces the most drift as there is little
foliage to trap the spray.
Aspects of Applied Biology 71,
2004 p149
Ref 121 Cherries induced to set and retain fruit using the
plant hormones Gibberellins.
When applied these enhanced fruit set and retention both directly
and by stimulating hormone production in the plant tissues.
Grower April 10 2003 pp20-21
Ref 122 Apples; Savage chemical thinning at blossom time is
beneficial and prevents the production of small unwanted
fruit.
A wide variety of compounds is used in the USA, including lime
sulphur, with or without an oil, soap, molasses, you name it
(almost)! Fish oil with or without Lime sulphur, is perhaps the
most effective.
Post bloom thinning can affect the spray
program as many of the effective compounds are insecticides
Good Fruit Grower March 15 2004 pp6-7
Ref 251 How they do it in NE Italy
American apple growers tour NE Italy's intensive production areas.
All aspects of cultivation and marketing are discussed in a special feature
on "how it is done" by the world leaders in dwarf tree intensive
production.
Good Fruit Grower 5 April 2004
Ref 213 To cover or not to cover
Chuck Ingels in three articles will discuss the pros and cons of cover
crops in orchards. In the first article he discusses cover crops and the
nitrogen regime, the increase in frost liability in early spring and pests.
Good Fruit April 15 2004 p13
Ref 214 the conflict between fruiting and vegetative vigour.
Dana Faubion discusses how to create and maintain a favourable balance
between the two types of often-conflicting activities,
American/Western Fruit Grower June 2004 p48
Ref 230 Renewed interest in finding out about bees, the necessary pollinators
Web sites are cited that give information on beekeeping practises and how
best to maximise the efficiency of bees' pollinating activities.
American/Western Fruit Grower 2004
Ref 216 Tree morphology and fruiting
The proportions of terminal and lateral spurs affect vegetative and reproductive
growth in apples. With for example, a negative relationship between the
number of terminal spurs and the percentage of flower bearing 1 year old
shoots in Fuji apple.
Journal of the Japanese Society of Horticultural Science 73, 2,
2004 pp143 -149.
Ref 231 More morphology!
Mathematical relationships are developed to describe the relationship between
planting density and subsequent growth of trunks and branches in Starking
Delicious apples.
Journal of the Japanese Society of Horticultural Science 73, 3,
2004 pp250-258
Ref 232 if you have to thin chemically.
The currently used compounds NAD and NAA will probably be replaced by Benzyladenine
for safety and cost of registration reasons. This compound appeared satisfactory
particularly at low altitudes on its own or combined with other thinners.
Good Fruit 15 April 2004 p35
Ref 215 Much of interest about cherries
Some useful "cherry picking" here
Good Fruit Grower May 15 2004. 55, 10.
Ref 233 the benefits of 1-MCP confirmed
The senescence delaying hence storage enhancing compound 1-MCP, continues
to provide striking benefits in the storage stage of the apple production
process. Its successful use demands some changes in growing techniques
American/Western Fruit Grower April 2004 p54
Ref 258 Strawberries; effects of plant density and crown size on yield per
unit area
In an experiment involving the cultivars Elsanta and Bolero,
surprise surprise yield per unit area increased with planting
density whilst yield per plant increased with decreasing planting
density. Less obviously, there was no significant increase in yield
resulting from increasing the crown size at the time of planting.
Journal of Horticultural Science and Biotechnology 79, 2004 pp 739-746
Ref 259 Effects of planting density, (1125-3226 trees per ha) and training
system, (slender spindle, tall spindle and Geneva Y trellis), on yields in Royal
Gala and Summerland McIntosh apples in Br. Columbia.
As expected increase in yield with planting density was initially
linear but eventually levelled out to a plateau as yield per tree
declined. The advantage of high density planting, up to 3226 trees
per hectare, was the increase in yield per ha over the first five
years Training system had no effect on productivity in the first
five years but had an effect later.
HortScience 39, 3. June 2004 pp 507-11
Ref 260 New Zealand orchards become more environmentally friendly
Growers now accept a higher level of "weediness" than 10 years ago
with a marked reduction in the use of residual herbicides, an
increase in the use of glyphosphate and in non chemical methods of
weed control, such as winter grazing by sheep and partial mowing.
New Zealand Plant Protection 56: 2003 pp 211-214
Ref 262 Sunburn in apples; still no wonder cure
All that is known is that the causes are complex and that little is
yet known about possible differing sensitivity at various stages
of the fruit's development. Empirically, to avoid sudden exposure
of fruits to high intensities of radiation and/or heat, overhead
sprinkling and coating the trees with a reflective kaolin particle
film have been found effective in reducing damage.
Acta Hort 636 2004 p 631 Proc. XXVI Deciduous Fruit and Nut Trees
Ref 295. The decreasing availability of chemical plant protection products
is causing problems
One way "forward" is the use of compost "tea" This ADAS
article outlines how to make it and its benefits.
Grower Nov 18 204 pp14-15
Ref 296. Mulching is beneficial – with qualifications
A study involving B Columbian apple orchards indicated that the beneficial
effects of mulching depended on other factors e.g. soil type, irrigation and
nutrient application regime
Acta Hort. XXVI 2004 Sustainability of Horticultural Systems pp347 –
349
Ref 297. More about "peat free"
For obvious reasons activity in this area is increasing and this article outlines
the various types of peat free composts currently available and being developed.
Grower Feb 3 2005 pp16-17
Ref 298. Thinning can be good for your orchard
Thinning a Golden Delicious orchard (trees on MM106) after 10 years improved
growth and fruit quality and reduced scab attack The effect was maximised if
the leader was removed at the time of thinning.
Plant Science 40, 2003 pp 421-425
Ref 299. How to minimise apple orchard "replant" problems
The effects of apple replant disease (ARD) can be reduced by using resistant
rootstocks and planting away from the positions of the original trees i.e. between
the original rows rather than within them. Preplanting compost or soil fumigation
had no effect on growth of the new trees. Plant and Soil 264: 2004 pp247-260
Ref 300. Replanting a necessity that need not be a nightmare
Grant Hitchings describes the replanting episodes in an orchard first planted
in 1804 and still going strong. He gives helpful advice along the way.
American Western Fruit Grower Jan 2005 p11
Ref 301. GM, herbicide resistant crops and what you might like to know
Many aspects of this contentious field are covered in this special issue.
Pest Management Science 61, 3, March 2005 Herbicide-resistant Crops from
Biotechnology.
Ref 339 Nutrient analysis; tried an tested but too often neglected
Dr Bill Walk renews the case for nutrient analysis of leaves and/or developing
fruits; not once but several times a year as the demands of the trees change.
He points out that nutrient deficiencies are all too common in orchards because
of failure to monitor their levels.
Good Fruit Grower (2005) April 15 pp16-17.
Ref 340 Ammonium Thiosulphate (ATS); an affective blossom thinner in apples, but
there is a sting in its tail!
ATS at 10g/l causes 40% flower damage at a drying time of 30 min; 80% damage at
71min drying time. However unless the residues are washed off within 1h
of application there is excessive flower and leaf damage (?leave well alone
personal comment)
Scientia Horticlturae (2005) 104 pp161-168
Ref 341 A mine of up to the minute information about growing cherries
Advances in Cherry Genetics Physiology Technology and Management.
Proceedings of the IVth International Cherry Symposium. Vol 2
Acta Horticulturae 667 February 2005
Ref 342 What shall I plant; branched or unbranched?
Up to around 850 trees per acre “feathers” are potentially the most
profitable above this planting density, “whips” are the best.
Good Fruit 2005 March 15 p35
Ref 343 The South Tyrol shows the way in intensive apple production
25 years ago tree density was around 850 per acre with extensive pruning and
training Today it is around 1500 per acre with little pruning much training.
The economic success of current practise includes a significant crop the second
year after planting and NB the planting of high quality two year old trees.
Good Fruit Grower March 15 2005 pp36-37
Ref 344 Environmental influences on cherry production
Sweet cherries need cold winters to satisfy chilling requirements and hot summers
to develop and ripen the fruit. Chilling temperatures influence subsequent vegetative
as well as reproductive growth. High temperatures during the early stages of flower
formation can cause fruit malformation. Other environmental effects on functioning
are discussed
Food Agriculture and the Environment Vol 1 (2) 263-266 2003
Ref 345 Thinning practises are still an “art form”, science is years away
Environmental conditions for example temperature can influence the effectiveness of the
compound used. High temperatures increase the effectiveness of the treatment.
Good Fruit Grower March 15 2005 p11
Ref 345b Pollinators are necessary
Mr De Pee, a fruit grower in Holland, who grows plums under glass to produce an
earlier crop, usually hires a hive for pollination. In 2004 he tried without bees
with the aim of reducing thinning. However he had an 80% reduction in crop so wont be
trying that again.
The Fruit Grower September 2005
Ref 378 There is more to storing fruit than a cellar
A wide range of topics concerning fruit storage and the responses of fruit to storage, is covered in this symposium
volume.
Proceedings of the 5th International Post Harvest Symposium, Volume 3
Acta Horticulturae 682 June (2005)
Ref 379 Nothing stays the same!
Dr Mattheis of USDA comments that the storage "ball park" has changed with the newer varieties now coming on stream
such as Gala and Braeburn, coupled with the use of MCP, mean that different storage regimes than those developed for
"traditional" varieties are now required.
Good Fruit Grower November (2005) pp20-21
Ref 380 To bag or not to bag
Labour is still relatively cheap in China so bagging of individual apple or pear fruits is still economical. But
what are the benefits? This article discusses the microenvironmental effects of bagging, in particular temperature
including fruit surface temperature, and relative humidity.
Acta Horticulturae Sinica (2005) 32, 4, pp673-676
Ref 381 The bane of bare wood
Work in New Zealand indicates that Giberellic Acid (GA) by reducing flowering on one year old wood, and cytokinins
by inducing dormant buds to grow, can alleviate the problem.
Journal of Horticultural Science and Biotechnology (2005) 80,5, pp623-627
Ref 382 New dwarfing root stocks in the Czech Republic
Breeders are developing improvements on the widely used M9.
XIth Eucarpia Symposium on Fruit Breeding and Genetics Acta Horticulturae 663 (2004) pp945-948
430 All change for storage techniques
What with new varieties such as Fuji and Braeburn and the
availability of MCP, new techniques are having to be worked out.
Good Fruit Grower November (2005)
431 All you need to know about current practises in soiless culture and hydroponics
Proceedings of the International Symposium on Soil less Culture
and Hydroponics
Acta Horticulturae 697 December (2005).
432 Mulches and/or anti transpirants as water conservers
Various combinations are investigated
Environment and Ecology 23: 3: 572-576 (2005)
433 Cherry dwarfing stocks all the rage world wide.
Management and picking costs have sealed the fate of the large
cherry trees exemplified in the "traditional" orchards of
North Kent. Matthew Whiting reviews the new dwarfing stocks now
being used world wide.
Good Fruit May 15 p7 (2005)
434 Sour complimenting sweet; more dwarfing cherry root stocks
Dr. Ami Iezzoni discusses the promising attributes of tart
cherry derivatives as dwarfing stock for sweet cherries.
Good Fruit Grower May 15 p6 (2005)
435 Interstem/double grafting is it worth the extra effort?
Bill Pitts says that the extra cost of production is often
outweighed by the more uniform orchard that results where the soil
is variable. Interstem trees are still much in demand.
Good Fruit Grower February 1 (2006)
436 The "Tatura" training system for apples and pears
Amongst the plethora of training systems for dwarf trees
developed over the last 2 -3 decades, the Tatura trellis and its
variants have proved their worth. Guidelines with a diagram for
establishing a Tatura type orchard are provided.
Good Fruit Grower April 15 pp38-39 (2005)
490 The Chinese show the way
"Best practise" for growing Fuji apples is outlined
American/Western Fruit Grower February 2006 p14
491 It should be stating the obvious
Use cost-benefit concepts aided by laboratory soil analysis, for
your fertiliser/nutritional input/soil amendment program.
American/Western Fruit Grower March 2006
492 Of increasing relevance in the future?
A precision micro sprinkler system for water and nutrients for use
in orchards is described
2005 ASAE Annual International Meeting Tampa Florida 17-20
July 2005 Paper no.052214
493 Canopy shape is not just cosmetic.
Whether individual leaves are on the "outside" or "inside "of the
canopy markedly affects their water-relations/transpiration rates
and also their rates of photosynthesis.
Acta Horticulturae Sinica 2005 32, 6 pp 975- 979 (NB
comprehensive Abstract but main text in Chinese)
494 Nitrogen and stone fruit
Desmond Layne gives an in the round account of the needs/effects of
Nitrogen on the tree and how best to apply it to fulfil those
needs.
American/Western Fruit Grower March 2006 p70
495 MCP still has problems
There are misgivings on the part of the public about possible
health hazards. Public health bodies have found no evidence for
these fears.
Good Fruit April 15 2006 pp29-30
496 A stilted view
An over the row worker platform is being developed in the Pacific
NW. If successful it could bring about substantial changes in
growing techniques e.g. tree rows could be closer together.
Good Fruit Grower June 2006 pp22-23
497 It pays to fertigate
Applying nutrients by trickle or micro sprinkler methods can result
in substantial reductions in the amounts of fertiliser needed.
Good Fruit Grower April 15 2006
498 Cover or not to Cover
Although beneficial in terms of water conservation and soil
stability, where there are large and costly demands for water to
establish the crop, if there are not compensating reductions in
pests and diseases it may not pay to create cover.
Good Fruit Grower April 15 2006 pp14-16
499 Baby care
Periodic analysis of developing fruits means that current
deficiencies can be remedied.
Good Fruit Grower April 15 2006 p9
500 Cover crops for vineyards
A number of species are assessed for their use for annual till,
annual no till and perennial cover formation
Good Fruit Grower April 15 2006 p13
545 Good house keeping in the orchard
In this Italian study, methods of maintaining and improving
soil fertility, by incorporating organic matter including
prunings are discussed. Methods of increasing water use
efficiency by fertigation and by developing canopy geometries
that minimise unnecessary transpiration loss are also
discussed.
Proc.11th Symposium on apricot Acta Hort. 701, 2006.
546 Chemical and non chemical thinning in apple
A German study showed no significant differences between
chemical and non chemical methods and that Azolon (urea
formaldehyde) application improved fruit size.
Discov.Innov.17,1/2. 2005
547 Keep them down to size
Preliminary Research at Oregon State University suggests that
dwarfing root stocks may not be necessary to keep cherry trees
to a manageable size. Summer pruning of trees on the vigorous
Mazzard root stock reduced tree height and promoted precocious
fruit bud development.
Good Fruit Grower May 15 2006 pp16-17
548 Cherries; a crystal ball
Future trends in sweet cherry production are discussd by Dr
Matthew Whiting of Washington State University. These include
small precocious trees on dwarfing root stocks; canopy
architectures designed for ease of picking whether mechanical
or hand and easy access for machinery. With enhanced quality -
within the constraints of the negative relationship between
quality and quantity - also an important aim.
Good Fruit Grower May 15 2006 pp22-24
549 The web of nature
A British Colunmbia study involving plant and animal diversity
in a range of crop and non crop habitats/vegetation types
including orchards showed that small mammal and vegetation
diversity were connected and that the highest diversity, to be
expected, was in the non cropped habitats. "Structural
diversity" appeared to be a good indicator of diversity in
agroecosystems.
Agriculture, Ecosystems & Environment 116,
2006. pp235-243
654 Treatment for pre harvest drop
Treatment of Israel grown Red Delicious and Jonathen with the anti drop agent 3,5,6, -TPA was the most effective of several compounds tried and yield was increased.
Journal of Horticultural Science and Technolgy 81 6 2006 pp943-948
652 To bag or not to bag?
We are all familiar with those large bagged Fuji apples; testifying to China's rising star in all aspects of high tech. But to the Chinese practitioner there is a high cost and bagging can be markedly disadvantageous; up to 1/3 of total production costs and 45% of material inputs!Also the bags present a serious shading problem. So would be baggers beware!
Acta Horticulturae Sinica 33 4 2006 pp921-926
651 Yhe benefits of a grasss ground cover
Chinese work shows that planting Paspalum notatun improves the physical and chemical characteristics of red soils
Journal of Anhui Agri Sci 34 14 .
650 Cover crops for raspberries
Not normal practise in the UK but this comprehensive and helpful account suggests that cover is the norm for rasps in Switzerland
Revue Suisse Vitic Arboric Hortic 38 6 2006 pp363-369
639 Many (nasty sounding) ways to Rome!
The effectiveness of a range of fruit thinning compounds is assessed
Journal of the American Pomological Society 60 4 2006 pp198-204.
622 High density orchards; no one training system is "best"for all situations.
Dr Terence Robinson of Cornell University has evaluated five tree types and has come up with a favourite, the "Tall Spindle"
Good Fruit Grower January 15 2007 pp14-15
617 High density dwarf tree orchards require constant high quality management.
Yakima Valley Orchards Washington State are evaluating rootstocks, replanting methods and crucially, developing the most effective training system .
Good Fruit Grower January 15 2007 p18
618 More intensive apple growuing on replanterd sites
Fumigation with Vapam before replanting; trees 2 limbed with branch breaking stimulated with a GA benzyladenine product Each tree ends up with16 branches.
Good |Fruit Grower January 15 2007 p16
619 All change for survival
Geraldine Warner talks to successful apple growers. The way forward is to evaluate and select variety, site, rootstock, planting material, orchard design, fumigation, planting, irrigation and tree training.
Good Fruit Grower 15 January 2007 pp12-13
608 Thinning effects not only yield but quality
Experiments with "Honey Crisp" showed a complex relationship between yield and quality. Density of fruits(nos/unit area) was inversely related to fruit size and colour with the highest quality at 3 and 6 frts/cm2.
Pennsylvania Fruit News 86 6 p19
589 Mineral analysis, a fair assessment
"Ideal" concentrations of minerals are now known and fertiliser application can be adjusted accordingly. However as Bill Wolk says, the technique is no "miracle worker".
Good Fruit Grower October 2006 pp22-23
587 Predictive modelling to determine spraying regimes
Mike Belco at Applewood estates, Michigan has developed a model to determine his spraying regime , that uses the data from a datalogger weather station to predict weather conditions likely to favour fungal attack.
American/Western Fruit Grower February 2007 pp12-13
580 We know that pruning effects vigour and yield but how much? Some facts
Some experiments on 14 year old Red Delicious apples involving four different pruning intensities showed that as expected growth was related to intensity with moderate intensity producing the highest yield and the highest quality of fruit.
Sarhad J. Agric. 22, 2, 2006 (pages not recorded)
576 Growing pears in Taiwan – maybe not our scene but given the onset of global warming…??
Lack of low chilling temperatures is a problem in lowland Taiwan. This problem is overcome in several ways including selecting varieties with low chilling requirements and the annual grafting of fruiting branches that have come from desirable varieties of chilled trees at higher altitudes, onto a vigorous cultivar native to the lowlands. Apparently the technique works and surprisingly, is economic at least in the Taiwan situation !
Good Fruit Grower October 2006 pp12-14
700 How to delay ripening and reduce pre harvest drop
Application of aminoethoxyvinylglycine to both bagged and unbagged Kogetsu apples was effective especially for unbagged fruit.
Plant Growth Regul. 50 2006 pp91-100
699 What factors affect arthropod populations?
An investigation in Provence showed that of the environmental factors measured in relation to arthropods abundance and species richness 28.7% of the variation was explained by the sum of the variables measured whilst hedge affects only accounted for 2.2%.
Annals of Applied Biology 149 2006 pp 347-355
696 Earthworm and organophosphate pesticides don't mix
Both chronic and intermittent (eg by spray drift) exposure were detrimental to earthworm populations in an orchard studied in Western Cape S Africa.
Ecotoxicology and Environmental Safety 66 2007 pp244-251
690 Know how your trees function to maximise the effectiveness of irrigation.
Water use effectiveness/efficiency can be substantially increased if water application is related (surprise surprise) to the evaporative surface of the canopy
Australian Journal of Experimental Agriculture 46 2006 pp405-412
691 Wind; the enemy of frost
Wind machines reduced frost damage by 40- 60% in tests in an apple orchard
Agriculture and Forest Meteorology 141 2006 pp71-81
689 Effects of chemical sweet cherry blossom thinners
Rather a mine field maybe best left alone?
Hortscience 41 7 2006 pp1547-1551
684 Ten steps to successful blueberry growing
Charlie O'Dell of Vermont explains his ten step plan for successful production
American/Western Fruit Grower November/December 2006 pp44-46
681 Water and nitrogen regimes in high density orchards
Optimum regimes for trickle irrigation and associated nitrogen fertilising regimes are discussed for high density orchards on Malling 9
HortTechnology 12 2006 pp19-25
675 Gibberellic Acid boosts pear size
A Korean study on an Asian pear cultivar showed that fruit size could be increased using GA without shape distortion or alteration of the flesh characteristics
Hort Environ Biotechnol 47 4 pp183 - 187
676 Growth regulators affect fruit attributes
GA and Kinetin applied at the flowering stage significantly affected physical and flesh characteristics of Starking Delicious apples.
Haryana J hortic Sci 34 3-4 2005 pp211-213
670 Biodiesel; its production could sprerad and spread.
Possibilities of oil seed production for biodiesel in the heart of the Pacific NW, are being explored; apples beware ?
Good Fruit Grower November 2006 p14
671 Global warming could mean greenhouse cooling rather than greenhouse heating?
Many useful papers on the expertise and problems involved in this relatively unfamiliar activity.
Proceedings of the International Symposium on Greenhouse Cooling Acta Horticulturae 719 September 2006
662 Dwarf trees the "in" thing
The International Fruit Tree Association has embraced dwarf trees with a vengeance.
Good Fruit Grower December 2006 pp36-38
660 Honeycrisp; not all is plain sailing
Diana Faubion of Washington State University outlines the best ways of storing this variety.
Good Fruit Grower December 2006 pp42-43
661 A "litmus test" for ripeness
Robert Klein has developed a "sticker" for assessing ripeness. Currently being tried with apples, the device may be useful for a wide range of fruits.
Good Fruit Grower December 2006
Ref 4. Foliar feeding is highly efficient
This neglected technology gives 95% efficiency of use compared with 10%
via the soil!
From: "Foliar Feeding of Nutrients" by Charlie O'Dell Fruit Grower
March 2003 p27 Further information from olecro@agro-k.com
Ref 13. Strawberries need Zinc
With "Elsanta"
strawberries grown on peat bags, a leaf Zn content of less than
20ppm (dry weight basis) resulted in Zn deficiency
symptoms. Optimum Zn level in the nutrient solution was 7.5 to
10.0 µmols/litre. Concentrations above 30µmols /litre
resulted in Zn toxicity and iron deficiency symptoms.
From: "Zinc nutrition of strawberries grown on peat bag?" by
Filip Leiten Small Fruits Review 2.4. 2003 pp63-72 Article
available from; docdelivery@haworthpress.com
Ref 155 The nutritional needs of raspberries
This is a comprehensive "mini-manual" on what with and how to fertilise
and/or "Fertigate" raspberries.
Grower March 27 2003 pp20-22
Ref 210 Beware of low nutrient levels in leaves in 2004
Manganese, iron and calcium deficiencies are widespread this year. The
reason? 2003's high temperatures and late summer drought probably limited
nutrient uptake into buds and branches. Leaf analyses are necessary to detect
the problem.
Grower 20 May 2004 p11
Ref 211 High levels of soil nutrients need not mean adequately "fed"
plants!
Available not total amounts of nutrients are what matter to the plant.
Dr. Robert Stevens discusses the differences between available and unavailable
nutrients and the reasons for the discrepancies.
Good Fruit April 15 2004 p15
Ref 256 Some pitfalls in fertiliser usage
Don't skimp on P and K, don't rely on nitrogen alone; don't use the
same fertiliser program every year, situations change! Don't "run
down" the reservoir of nutrients in the soil, it can be costly to
rebuild. Soil testing rather than guesswork is a must
American/Western Fruit Grower August 2004. p34
Ref 257 Sheep manure; good news for orchard soils
In an experiment in a Red Delicious orchard in China, Sheep manure raked
into the soil surface, resulted in increases in soil organic
matter, nutrient retention via Cation Exchange Capacity (CEC),
available soil N and plant N status.
Sustainability of Horticultural Systems Proc XXVI eds. L. Bertschinger and J.D. Anderson Acta Hort, 638, p151 2004
623 Mineral nutrition of fruit
A typically wide ranging symposium on many aspects of fruit nutrition including nutrient cycling, fertilizer application, nutritional analysis and assessment, and fertilizer uptake and partitioning.
Proceedings of the Vth international symposium on Mineral Nutrition Acta Horticulturae 721 October 2006
Ref 1. ID cards for pests!
Close up large-scale photographs of pests on laminated cards help
identification and hence reduce the risk of targeting the wrong organism.
The set of cards currently available was produced primarily for use in
California. However, this useful idea knows no boundaries and we need an
entomologically inclined photographer to develop a set of cards for use
in Britain and NW Europe. The set is obtainable from; University of
California, Agriculture and Natural Resources, Communication Services.
6701 San Pablo Ave., 2nd Floor, Oakland, CA94608-1239, USA.
E-mail. danrcs@ucdavis.edu
From; "Picture This" by David Eddy American/Western Fruit Grower,
August 2003 pp42-43. Further information from; david_eddy@meisternet.com
Ref 7. Leaf litter harbours pests and diseases!
A cover of leaf litter may appear protective and helpful in the orchard
but benefits such as reducing frost penetration and conserving soil
moisture are outweighed by the harm caused by the favourable over
wintering environment litter provides for insect pests and harmful fungi
such as Venturia inaequalis. the cause of apple scab. The
remedy? Destroy the leaves by mowing or speed their decay by adding
nitrogen in the form of urea to stimulate organisms involved in litter
breakdown.
From; "Don't be a litter bug" By Jasmine Peterson American/Western
Fruit Grower November/December 2003 p32-33. More information from jasmine_peterson@meisternet.com
Ref 8b Making it nasty for slugs and snails!
A range of products, of which the best were garlic, ureaformaldehyde and
cinnamamide were tested under laboratory conditions for their effects on
mortality and reduction in feeding damage. Mortality ranged from 20% to
95% and reduction in feeding damage from 41% to 100%. Field trials will
follow.
From; "Barriers, Repellents and Antifeedants for Slug and Snail
Control" by I. Schruder, G.Port and J.Bernison. Crop Protection 22, 2003,
pp1033-1038 More information from; ingo.schueder@ncl.ac.uk
Ref 47. Blueberry growers; watch out!
The first occurrence in Europe of the serious
fungal pathogen of blue berries in America, Monolinia Blight
or mummy berry disease (Monilinia vaccinii -
corymbosi), has been reported from Austria.
Europ. J. Hort Science 68 (5) 238-241
Ref 40. Red core strikes Elsanta
3 million plants of Elsanta have had to be destroyed because of
infection in mother material at a Hampshire grower's Farm. This
could cause shortages despite plenty of plants available from
Holland
Grower July 3 2003 p5
Ref 103 Alternatives to the vanishing conventional
insecticides.
60% of conventional insecticides will have been
lost by the time the Pesticide Review Program ends. Bio pesticides
provide a partial answer; why partial? First it costs Ł45,000
to register a biopesticide, secondly they are slower to act and
need particular conditions in which to act. How to increase their
use? The EU is intending to reduce the registration fee, and to
develop a program using pheromones. The UK and EU also intend to
streamline the control legislation generally.
Grower 22 January 2004 pp23-25
Ref 104a Soft fruit growers face a cupboard largely bare of their tried and
trusty favourites, or do they?
Scott Raffle takes us through the common pests and diseases and
the problems are not as great as at first feared. The loss to cane
fruit producers of the herbicide Hyvar X, the cane desiccant
Croptex Steel and the spawn controller SOLA could be serious. In
bush fruits too, the impact of the removals will not be
disastrous. However the loss of Talstar, Tedion and Hallmark will
seriously reduce control of two spotted spider mite. A table is
included that gives the active ingredients that have lost their
approved status and their "use-by" dates
Grower March 2003 pp20-21
Ref 10b Cherries; new techniques for the early detection of cherry viruses
These detect before visual symptoms appear but tree destruction is
still the only control.
Good Fruit March 1 2004 p17
Ref 105 Virus driven "Cherry decline" a one-way road to disaster.
Often symptonless, with the only signs small fruits, stunted
growth, early leaf fall and a general lack of vigour. Prompt
removal of infected trees is the only control
Good fruit Grower March 1 2004 p18
Ref 106 Vine Weevil; Italy the likely source of species likely
to become serious pests.
Italy seems to be a centre of diversity for potentially harmful
vine weevil species These could reach NW Europe in nursery stock
from Italy.
Grower July 17 2003 pp38-39
Ref 107 Voles by ringing trees in search of the green cambium
layer, can cause serious damage.
Weeds and cover crops are favourite habitats so minimum ground
cover and the encouragement of raptors reduce their numbers.
Good Fruit Grower Further details from afg_edit@meistermedia.com
Ref 108 The dreaded canker
Results of a recent trial show that infection in the nursery is
insignificant compared to that in the orchard. No new control
measures emerged from the trials . However peripheral canker was
significantly reduced by copper sprays soon after leaf emergence
and at leaf fall
Grower January 16 2003 pp22-23
Ref 109 Leaf midge of apples, the latest thoughts
A catch 22 situation. Pyrethroids control it but only partially
and these kill the natural predators. A parasitic wasp may
provide the most practicable control. Some Dutch growers by
encouraging (how?) the wasp have virtual eliminated the pest
Grower January 30 2003 p21
Ref 110 All is not decline in the pesticide scene.
Bayer has introduced Elvaron Multi for scab control. It also
appears effective against red spider and a wide range of other
fungal diseases.
Grower January 16 2003 p24
Ref 111a and 111b Bayer fool the moths
Their "Runner" induces lethal moulting in Winter,
Tortix and Codlin moths It is safe to bees but "it don't
come cheap!"
Grower March 27 2003 p7 and Grower April 3 2003 p22
Ref 112 October the best time to control Rosy apple aphid.
"Natural" insecticides e.g. Derris and Savona were not
nearly as effective as the "synthetics" Aphox and
Toppel.
Grower October 9 2003 p4
Ref 218 Rosy Apple Aphid (Dyasiphis plantaginea); a nasty one
beware!
A detailed account of its biology/ecology and methods of control is given
American/Western Fruit Grower April 2004 p46
Ref 224 Cherry bark tortrix a "new " pest of cherries.
The larvae feed on sapwood, and their activity results in gummosis and
girdling. Control methods are discussed.
Good Fruit February 15 2004 p23
Ref 225 How best to control Powdery Mildew
Timing and frequency of application are critical and different compounds
are most effective at different times in the growing season.
American/Western Fruit Grower 2004
Ref 226 Breakthrough in Blueberry maggot control
Researchers at Rutgers evaluate new methods of control of this, the major
pest of Blueberries
American/Western Fruit Grower May 2004 pp28-29
Ref 227 Learn all about invasive species
Invasive species are the subject of an international conference in Berlin
(June 9-11 2005). Invasive species are though the second largest reason
for biodiversity decline.
Grower 1 July 2004 p5
Ref 228 Pigeons not starlings now the major predators of cherries
The anti feeding compound "Winteguard" and netting are currently
the best controls.
Grower 17 June 2004 pp12-13
Ref 219 the latest products for insect control
Ten products are mentioned; their targets and recent changes in what crops
they can legally be used for.
American/Western Fruit Grower, April 2004 pp40-41
Re 220 Problems with using "Apogee" for fire blight control
"Apogee" should only be used in young orchards where risk of
infection is high because it suppresses shoot growth and hence prevents
canopy development
American/Western Fruit Grower April 2004 pp36-37
Ref 221 some organophosphates will be around for several more years
The use of some of these compounds will continue, due to improvements in
the accuracy of risk assessment (some are safer than previously thought)
and because of safer more specific targeting and application methods.
American/Western Fruit Grower April 2004 p20
Ref 222 Rotate your pesticides!
Resistance to particular insecticides by the targeted organism is a well-known
phenomenon. e.g. the codling moth is developing resistance ro "Guthion"
To reduce the risk of "across the board " resistance to insecticides,
ring the changes including using biological methods
Good Fruit Grower February 15 2004 p24
Ref 223 Weeds if not beautiful can be useful
Avoid clean up of over wintering annual "weeds" until after bud
break/shoot elongation as this reduces damage to vine buds by cut worms
and lick beetles
Good Fruit Grower, February 15 2004 p24
Ref 212 Where goes Crop Protection?
Two important trends will influence this. First the "natural"
protection afforded by organic methodologies and secondly the engineered
protection obtained by genetic modification. An extremely thoughtful and
thought provoking article of interest not only to fruit producers but also
to anyone involved or interested in the future of the countryside.
Pest Management Science, 60 105-112.
Ref 261 Apple blossom weevil traps are good watch dogs
A Swiss trial indicates that the number of weevils caught in traps
is an effective indicator of the severity of potential damage and
that this "warning " comes early enough to enable insecticides to
be applied before blossoms are attacked. By contrast, monitoring
incidence of the pest by branch shaking was not a reliable predictor.
Entomologia Experimentalis et Applicata 112 pp 29-36 2004
Ref 263 To control Apple Black Spot (Venturia inaequalis) requires
good housekeeping
The fungus over winters on dead apple leaves hence treatments are
designed to speed the decay of the litter produced at leaf
fall. Urea applied to the litter reduced the number of
ascospores (of Black Spot ) by 73% compared with the control,
whilst Urea combined with a fungal pathogen of Black Spot
(A Chaetomium isolate) reduced them by up to 92%.
New Zealand Plant Protection 56: pp 95-99 2003
Ref 264 Leaf roller populations are affected by ground cover characteristics
The relation is complex; broadly in a New Zealand investigation,
the number of leaf rollers was proportional to the number of
broad leaved weeds in the under story but inversely proportional
to the number of parasitoids. However leaf rollers occurred in the
under story vegetation as well as in the apple foliage as did the
parasitoids, with the parasitoids’ distribution depending on
the types of plant in the understory. Hence the effects of under
story vegetation adverse or otherwise on leaf roller infestation
of orchard trees apparently depends not only on the presence of
understory vegetation per se but also on its species composition.
New Zealand Plant Protection 56: pp168-173 2003
Ref 302. A holistic approach to pest control
A comprehensive review of practical ways to encourage predators.
Biodynamics winter 2004-2005 pp26-36
Ref 303. Biopesticides; future possibilities?
Pesticide resistance and environmental and safety concerns mean that biopesticides
may be "the wave of the future" This article outlines possible routes;
e.g. fungal, bacterial, viral, GM and biochemical.
Grower Jan 20 2005 pp16-18
Ref 304. Predators work
Tangmere Airfield Nurseries in cooperation with predator supplier Koppert has
a successful pest control scheme for red spider, aphids, caterpillars and thrips
Grower Oct 28 2004 pp 11-12
Ref 305. Pest control problems and changing attitudes across the EU
Gil Norris discusses the major pests, control regulations and the development
of more environmentally friendly control methods.
Grower Jan 26 2005 p26
Ref 306. Compost reduces soil born disease
A study at Wellesbourne showed that compost additions to growing media suppress
a number of soil born diseases e.g. damping off and root rots
Biocontrol Science and Technology Feb 2005, 15 (1) pp3-20
Ref 307. Pear Leaf Blister Mite; a new hazard for pear growers
This pest causes severe leaf damage resulting in yield reduction. Perhaps it
has come to the fore because of withdrawal of an effective control agent. Currently,
"Elvaron Multi" can provide useful control.
Grower Feb 24 2005 pp12-13
Ref 308. Novel ways to tackle slugs and snails
University of Newcastle Biology Department and ADAS Cambridge have been exploring
and testing new ways, some of which were highly effective, of repelling and
reducing the mobility of slugs and snails.
Pest Management Science 60, 2004 pp1171-1177
Ref 346 A new biologically based insecticide for caterpillar pests
Dow chemicals have isolated bacterial metabolites that inhibit nerve action in
caterpillars and which have few harmful effects on non targeted organisms. Dow
may also be producing another “naturally based” insecticide for
“difficult” pests of fruit and vegetables.
Good Fruit Grower July 2005 pp19-20
Ref 347 More new insecticides
Bayer Crop Science launch three new insecticides for fruit growers. NB these may
be connected to the Dow products noted under 346 above
Fruit Belge 73 (2005) 514 p34
Ref 383 Where a sex drive proves fatal
Codlin moths, are attracted to containers of a virus lethal to their larvae by including a pheromone in the "mix".
The Fruit Grower October (2005).
Ref 384 Towards disease free rootstocks
Spraying/painting rootstocks with Acetic Acid at recommended concentrations (high concentrations can kill the
rootstocks) reduces the surface micro flora including its pathogenic components.
Hortechnology July-September (2005) 15, 3.
Ref 385 Innocent rather than guilty
The parasite of slugs Phasmarhabditis hermaphrodita does not as previously reported, harm earthworms.
Biocontrol Science and Technology September (2005) 15, 6, pp623-626.
Ref 386 How will Pathogens respond to climate change?
Regarding woody plants and pathogens. The pattern will probably be similar to that arising from the large scale and
rapid movement of exotic species and their associated pathogens currently occurring. i.e. there are unlikely to be any
wholly novel pathogenic effects due to global warming. Hence modifications of existing control methods should suffice.
The Horticulturist Summer (2005) pp2-5
Ref 387 Thiram based fungicides for apples are out
Thiram based fungicides for use on apples are withdrawn from approved lists as the manufacturer will not support
registration.
Pesticide and Toxic Chemical News. |May 2 (2005) p17
Ref 388 Go organic and get more great tits in your orchards
A three year study in SE France showed that initial colonising densities were the same in organic and inorganically
managed orchards but that there were higher densities of nesting pairs and higher densities of surviving offspring in
organically managed orchards The difference was probably because there were fewer pray in the inorganically managed
orchards.
Environmental Toxicolgy and Chemistry (2005)_ 24,11, pp2846-2852
Ref 389 A possible biological control of Black Spot on apples and pears?
Crude protein extracts of Bacillus subtilis significantly reduced Black Spot (Penicillium expansum and
Alternaria alternata) incidence and severity.
Chinese Journal of Applied Environmental Biology (2005) 11,2, pp171-174
Ref 390 Nothing stays the same.
David Rosenberg discusses effective control measures in the light of resistance to previously effective fungicides.
Pennsylvania Fruit News 85,9. 29 September (2005) pp16-20
437 What attracts the codlin moth?
An ester produced by pears is an attractant for male and female
codlin moths. An equivalent attractant in apple has not yet been
found. The pear ester is proving an effective lure to monitor
codlin moth activity.
Good Fruit Grower March 1 pp18-19 (2006)
438 The costs of being friendly to the environment
The abandonment of organophosphorous insecticides in favour of
the newer more selective and "friendlier" compounds has shown
on the one hand that high quality fruit can still be grown but on
the other, that costs may be higher with possibly increased
importance of secondary pests.
Good Fruit Grower March 1 pp28-30 (2006)
439 The new friendly/"soft" pesticides not as friendly as first thought
Tom Unruh of Washington State University has found detrimental
effects of their use, including reduced fertility, in seven
beneficial predators, including lacewings.
Goof Fruit March 1 p35 (2006)
440 The Environment Risk Index (ERI) A comprehensive protocol for
assessing the affects of a particular compound on the
environment
ERI or techniques like it, point the way to effective assessment
of "in the round" comprehensive investigations of the impact
of a particular agrochemical on the environment.
Crop Protection 25 202-211 (2006)
441 Will pests and disease always be with us; the price we pay
for the "disruptive practise" of producing crops?
The same pests e.g. Fire Blight and Codlin Moth haunt us to day
as they did 100 years ago but our ways of dealing with them change,
witness the change from Lead Arsenate and Nicotine to DDT to
"friendly" predators. Will the conflict ever be resolved?
American Fruit Grower November/December pp46-48 (2005)
442 "Philabuster"; a new post harvest fungicide effective against apple and pear fruit rot
Produced by Janssen Pharmaceutica N.V. as a "dipping"
treatment.
Comm. Appl. Biol. Sci. Ghent University 70/3 (2005)
443 Attack Codlin Moth a "natural" way
Start with mating disruption followed by a spraying regime that
takes into account that the growth of the young fruits reduces the
effectiveness of spray residues because the amount of residue per
unit surface area of fruit decreases as the fruit grows.
Good Fruit February 145 p31 (2005)
444 You need to know your enemy before tackling him!
The problem of correct identification of fungal pathogens is
discussed. The taxonomy of specialised fruit rotting pathogens is
understood. Not so with many less specialised pathogens, where
"lumping" of morphologically similar but biologically and
genetically distinct pathogens can lead to ineffective control
methods
New Zealand Plant Protection 58:42-46 (2005)
445 New apple cultivars have mixed abilities regarding their susceptibility to arthropod pests.
There is no new "wonder variety". 23 new apple cultivars
were ranked for their susceptibility to a range of arthropod pests.
The pecking order differed for leaf and for fruit liability One
consistent generality was that the later the harvest time (and by
implication the later a particular variety matured) the higher the
incidence of damage.
HortScience 40; 7; 2071-2075 (2005)
446 Build yourself a slug trap
Physical i.e. trapping methods of slug destruction as opposed to
chemical methods are discussed. The design of an inexpensive "do
it yourself" trap is presented that is as effective as expensive
commercially available traps.
Crop Protection 25 pp212-215 (2006)
501 Bringing you the very latest in disease control
New compounds are helpfully tabulated
American/Western Fruit Grower February 2006 p34
502 Powdery mildew still a major problem
The extent of the problem in 2005 across the USA is discussed and
how best to deal with mildew in the future.
American/Western Fruit Grower February 2006 p28
503 All aspect of soil disenfestation
Proceedings of the VIth International Symposium on Chemical and
Non-Chemical Soil and Substrate Disinfestation
Acta Hort.2005
504 How to circumvent replant disease
Detailed accounts of soil, planting position, rootstocks and post
planting treatments to reduce the harmful effects of replanting in
situ
Hort Science 41, 2, April 2006
505 Leaf Curling Midge from a Northern Ireland perspective
There is a high incidence of this pest in N. Irish Bramley's
Seedling orchards. Spraying is often carried out but there may be
"mileage "in the future in deploying friendlier methods including
the use of natural predators.
Proceedings of Crop Protection in Northern Britain 2006 pp 75-80.
550 Fire Blight; an update
This workshop covered a wide range of topics associated with
fire blight including control, susceptibility and breeding for
resistance
Proceedings of the Xth International Workshop on Fire Blight
Acta Horticulturae 704 February 2006
551 Broad spectrum insecticides and ripple effects.
The use of broad spectrum insecticides can enhance secondary
pests' importance by killing their natural predators. This
Washington State University study has monitored the incidence
of pests and associated predators in orchards after broad
spectrum insecticide control was halted Management regimes to
reduce pest incidence to acceptable levels were successfully
developed
Good Fruit Grower May 1 2006 pp18-19
552 Integrated pest management; changes in abundance of
predacious mites
Fluctuations in numbers of predacious mites were monitored over
two years in commercial apple orchards in Quebec and reasons for
the often large changes are discussed.
Annals of the Entomological Society of America 99, 3, 2006
536-544
553 Wooly aphid a new method of control?
Applying 48% chlorpyrifos may be the answer.
Plant Protection 31,6, 2005
554 Great Tits and caterpillars don't mix
With 3 breeding pairs of tits per hectare, 23% of caterpillars
were removed; if all feeding took place within the orchard, up
to 49% were removed.
Ardea 93,2. 2005, pp259-269
578 Apple bins could be our Achilles Heel
Apple storage bins provide overwintering sites for Capsid moths
and blue mold (Penicillium) species. Methods of sterilizing
"sanitising" bins are described.
Good Fruit Grower, October 2006 pp24-25
579 In a rut about weed and pest control? Then "read on"
A wide range of topics regarding weed and pest control with the
emphasis on novel and sustainable techniques.
Pest and Weed Control in Sustainable Fruit Production. Project no QLAM-2001-00402
Skierniewice, Poland 1-3 September 2005
582 Phytophthora cactorum a disease of apple root stocks
The resistance of a range of root stocks to this disease is
assessed. None are totally resistant.
Can. J. Plant Sci.86 pp199-204
704 Tree architecture affects the incidence of pests an diseases
Differences in leaf density between a centrifugal training and
the Original Solax systems and the removal of spurs to diffeent
levels hence removing different amounts of innocula explained
differing densities of pests and diseases.
Journa of Horticultural Science and Biotechnology 81 4 pp765-773
687 The virtues of mineral oil
Not so good against powdery mildew but impressively effective
against a range of pests but Codln moth control was erratic.
Crop Protection 25 2006 pp585 -591
683 Video to the rescue of strawberry growers
If you are troubled with Anthracnose a video is available to
help you
E mail for orders; ashs@ashs.org
American/Western Fruit Grower November/December 2006 p43
677 Yeasts aggravate russeting
Yeasts of apple fruit surfaces enhance russeting but the effect
can be reduced by applying Captan or dithianon.
Yeast Res 6 2006 pp1149-1156
664 Fungi are they having the last laugh?
We have to use fungicides in ways that minimise the development
of resistance. If we fail in this, then although we may have won a
few battles we could well lose the war.
Association of Applied Biologists. Aspects of Applied
Biology 78 University of Edinburgh 7-8 September 2006.
656 A new problem for pear growers
An account is given of this increasingly serious disease which
is on a par with apple scab.Apparently so far, the UK has escaped
the scurge.
Plant Disease 90 11 pp1368-1375
Ref 2. Increase your roadside sales
Some useful tips are given for roadside selling, especially concerning
making signs more effective
From; "Marketing on the Road" by Kent Wolf American Fruit Grower,
August 2003 pp46-47 Further information from; afg_edit@meisternet.com
Ref 50.What is all the fuss about MCP (1-methylcyclopropene)?
MCP, marketed as "Smart Fresh" reduces storage
scald, extends storage life and reduces the rate of decline
in eating quality with storage. American growers consider it
the biggest advance in storage technology since the advent of
gas storage. As well as technical there are marketing
implications. Thus apples can be kept in good marketable
condition for 14 months or more, resulting in varietal
overlap.
Good Fruit Grower December 2003 pp16-17 also;
http://www.goodfruit.com
Ref 18. MCP; Rapid spread.
MCP was officially authorised for use in July
2002 in America. Washington and New York states were some of
the first to use it for the 2002 crop. By August 2003 all 50
states had authorised its use. It is proving extremely
popular with packers. However its effectiveness as a "life
extender" varies with variety and it will not add quality to
inferior fruit! For further information on MCP (trade name
"Smartfresh") go to www.smartfresh.com. For questions and
comment go to; brian_sparks@meisternet.com
American Western Fruit Grower November/December
2003 p8
Ref 49. MCP a mixed blessing?
Packers are complaining about the cost of
treatment set by the manufacturers . There are also marketing
problems resulting from varietal overlap