Integrated Pest Management for Cider Apple Growers Insects & Diseases Mike Biltonen 2 April 2016 FLX Craft Beverage Conference
How insects and diseases are managed in cider orchards should differ from how fresh fruit orchards are managed. Not only are the cosmetic objectives quite different, but there are valid reasons for striving for a stressed ecosystem, including potentially increased juice quality and higher natural plant defenses. However, the conundrum comes in crossing a line from having a lightly managed orchard to one where the trees and fruit are threatened by the bevy of pests we have all come to know and love. Desiring a low-maintenance orchard system, for whatever reason, and getting it are two different things. This is where the art and science of Integrated Pest Management come in (IPM).
So what do I need to be worried about? There are many insect and disease issues that can affect your crop. Not as worried with cosmetics of cider varieties, compared to fresh fruit. Focus on the pests that can damage the crop or trees affect both your short and long term goals. basic physiological functioning (e.g., photosynthesis), return bloom, tree health. productivity and fruit quality A main component of my cider apple IPM approach is on tree health, not prophylactic spraying.
So what do I need to be worried about? Not as focused on cosmetics as we are with fresh fruit, especially for wholesale markets. In other words, a little scab isn't the end of the world. In fact, a little stress may actually be good for the health of the orchard and the quality of the fruit. On the other hand an fireblight outbreak or an invasion of codling moth can doom an orchard and a crop of apples. Many cider varieties are already high in tannins (polyphenols) and could have reasonable self-defense mechanisms. This can help your management style if those mechanisms are allowed to activate. So, by not treating for every single problem that might arise, we allow for a more biodiverse and robust orchard ecosystem beneficial insects and microorganisms, pollinators, etc.
To be sure, avoid situations that endanger crop productivity and quality, including building endemic pest populations. But, more importantly, avoid situations that threaten the health of the orchard.
Critical Insect & Disease Issues of Cider Apples Fireblight European Apple Sawfly Plum Curculio (excessive levels) Codling Moth Apple Maggot Summer Fruit Rots
Fireblight
European Apple Sawfly
Plum Curculio
Codling Moth Internal Fruit Feeders
Apple Maggot
Summer Fruit Rots
That s not all.. Apple Scab Cedar Apple Rust Powdery Mildew Obliquebanded leaf roller Aphids and leafhoppers
Apple Scab
Cedar Apple Rust
Powdery Mildew
Obliquebanded Leafrollers External Fruit Feeders
Some new and not so new pests San Jose Scale Brown Marmorated Stinkbug Black Stem Borer Dogwood Borer Woolly Apple Aphid
San Jose Scale
Oriental Fruit Moth Internal Fruit Feeders
Brown Marmorated Stink Bug Native agricultural pest in China, Japan, Taiwan Attacks wide range of fruit, veg, and farm crops Wide range of host plants Overwinters in nearby houses, barns, abandoned buildings. 17mm long and shades of brown on upper and lower surfaces. Lighter bands on the antennae, darker bands on the rear, overlapping membranous parts of the front wings. Five instars all of which can occur at the same time.
Brown Marmorated Stink Bug Overwintered adults emerge sometime in the spring late April to early May. Adults mate and lay eggs from May through August. Attacks a wide range of fruits and vegetables crops.
Brown Marmorated Stink Bug Damage from stings result in catfacing of fruit with deep calloused, scar tissue underneath the skin. Damage renders crops unusable. Controls few and far between.
Blackstem Borer
IPM of Cider Apples Fortunately, there are only a handful of insect and disease pests that growers really need to worry about. The tools available are much greater today than ever before. One of the better tools available is the NEWA (Network for Environment and Weather Applications) web site. RIMpro is another for apple scab management. Trapping to monitor and degree modeling for control Proper planning and management can make the task of appropriate pest control quite manageable. At the foundation of a grower s ability to adequately manage pests is a robust understanding of their biology.
Comprehensive IPM strategy Know what you ve got.start clean. Site selection Orchard design and layout Immune or resistant varieties and rootstocks Healthy soil management strategy Good orchard sanitation Effective, appropriate spray program
Variety Fire Blight Apple Scab Powdery Mildew Cedar Apple Rust Amere de Berthencourt Mod Mod/B&F Mod/B&F Bedan Mod-High/Flowers Mod/ShootsB&F Mod-Hi/IFPC ModLow/B&F Binet Rouge Med-High/IFPC Mod-Hi/IFPC Mod-Low B&F Mod-Hi/IFPC Mod. B&F Brown Snout High Brown's Apple Mod Susc VR/Low High Chisel Jersey Mod Susc High Mod Susc Dabinett Med-High Mod-Hi Med-High Golden Russset Susc Intermediate Susc Susc Goldrush Int Immune Resistant VS Harry Masters Jersey Mod Susc Mod Kingston Black Mod-Hi Mod Mod Liberty Res Immune MS Res Major Mod Resistant Metais Mod-Hi?/Flowers B&F Med-Low Roxbury Russet Int Intermediate Int Int Somerset Redstreak Resistant Mod-Hi Stoke Red MS VR/Resistant/Mod Low Mod Low Vilberie Mod-Hi Mod-Hi Yarlington Mill Mod-Hi Mod-Hi Mod
What To Do? Know Your Objectives Know Thy Science There are no recipes each situation is unique.
Thank You!